Bicycle Network: Workplace

James Cook University

James Cook University in Far North Queensland has a very active cycling culture, primarily at their Townsville and Cairns campuses, largely due to the efforts of one individual - Adella Edwards.

Adella is the long-time president of the 94 member JCU BUG (James Cook University Bicycle Users Group) and has been instrumental in all manner of bicycle related initiatives.

Townsville campus has bike parking for 700 which is shared by staff and students alike. There is a dedicated, secure, end of trip facility with lockers which requires a swipe-pass for entry. The BUG also has a workshop where maintenance and repairs can be undertaken.  To aid in students getting around there has been significant upgrades to the path network in recent years, with much better bike access to the eastern side of the campus.

At their Cairns campus, there's parking for 140 bicycles and some shower facilities in a number of buildings.  The route to the campus from the city has a dedicated bike lane, however much of this is on the busy Captain Cook Highway and so this is a barrier to some.

With a regular yearly turnover of students, JCU BUG collect over 70 abandoned bicycles from around the university’s colleges and through their efforts and the BUG's on-campus workshop, they returned 20 of bicycles to students for their use.

And if that isn't all, noticing that many of the students who live at the residences at the sprawling Townsville campuses were choosing to drive, the university's TropEco sustainability program set up a free sharebike program using laid back cruiser style bicycles - suits the climate.