New BQ Rules - A view by Lenore

Comment on BQ by Lenore Evans 27/11/06

I am one of the 10% outside of the SEQ. One of the 500 cyclists who are working for and supporting BQ etc for 80% of the land mass of Queensland and possibly 80% of the state's wealth generators. The work that we do in regional areas to promote cycling so that facilities are provided etc, is just as important as the work that BQ does for SEQ. Don't tell me that our advocacy and successes haven't also had a flow on effect that helps BQ to achieve great things for SEQ. Our political voting system was changed to reflect one person one vote in each electorate. Just look at how large our electorates are up here. How can one representative manage to work for such large areas. A similar situation applies to cyclists and the different percentage of BQ membership throughout the state. Anyhow if BQ wants to continue to call itself BQueensland, it must acknowlege those 500 members outside the SEQ and especially those members who are doing as much work for cycling in their own back yard as any one in the SEQ. 500 members @ $70 is $35,000 less the cost of the Australian Cyclist Magazine = say $20,000 @$40 each. I didn't realise we were worth that much. How much would each member cost in insurance cover. And what is left over for represntation etc. And we could go on and on. In the meantime, our regional workers are all voluntary, a lot of cost is borne by individuala and our effectiveness and commitment is 100%. What would Queensland do without us. Once upon a time, cities were the administrative and support centres for the country that generated the state's wealth that benefited everyone. People in cities eat the food grown in regional Queensland, meat, bread, milk, fruit, vegetables, sugar etc. Food is not produced in the city sufficient to sustain large populations. Water and power is generated outside the city. And don't forget our mineral wealth that benefits all Australians. So don't country people deserve to be supported? If it wasn't for people living and working in regional Queensland, cities would not survive. Cities now have their own agendas behind a smokecreen of population numbers to warrant that country people are a minority and don't matter any more. Let's hope that BQ does not fit this mould. Let's hope that BQ will acknowledge that working for cyclists all across Queensland will be to everyone's benefit, the city and the country. Divide and conquer is not a new concept and we certainly don't want the government to think that all is not well with BQ. We need to have a united front if we want to promote cycling as a necessary transport mode that will help to solve so many modern day issues not only in Queensland but world wide. A good place to start is the support of BUGs throughout Queensland with BQ involvement and representation to meetings, government departments, transport providers and appropriate cycling services personnel in Brisbane because distance is the barrier that isolates us.