‘Extinction Rebellion on wheels’ threatens to shut down Brisbane’s Story Bridge over missing bike lane

One of Brisbane’s busiest bridges could be shut down by protesters during peak-hour traffic to demand a lane be allocated for bikes.

Members of Space for Cycling Brisbane and its supporters plan to march across all six lanes of the Story Bridge between 8am and 9am on Friday.

The protest, calling for one of the lanes to be altered to a bike, scooter and pedestrian only travelway, comes following the closures of the footpaths on either side of the bridge in March ahead of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

A structural assessment was later carried out by engineers, who found water to be leaking through the concrete.

According to organisers of the protest, there has been “no time frame” given to the public on the reopening of the footpaths nor an appropriate alternate detour made available.

“There are thousands of people who use the Story Bridge daily who have had their commutes and travel impacted for well over two months now,” a message from the organisers read.

“It is now clear that the footpaths over the bridge are unsafe to travel on, however more frustrating than the closure is the lack of communication from the council and the lack of a suitable detour.

“Council has multiple times published suggested detours that aren’t possible.”

A detour is in place for cyclists and pedestrians using the new Kangaroo Point Bridge, while CityCat and KittyKat services also link Kangaroo Point to the city and Howard Smith Wharves.

The move has been slammed by Brisbane City councillor Andrew Wines, after the group was coined “Extinction Rebellion on wheels” by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner during a council meeting on Tuesday.

“Brisbane commuters need to be aware of a dangerous and disruptive protest that will shut down traffic on the Story Bridge during peak hour on Friday morning,” Mr Wines said in a statement.

“The cycling activists, who are taking a leaf out of the Extinction Rebellion playbook, plan to proceed with their illegal protest at 8am on Friday despite concerns raised by Queensland Police and Brisbane City Council.

“They plan to hold Brisbane commuters to ransom and cause chaos, just like Extinction Rebellion did a few years ago.

“The protesters are trying to force the closure of a lane of Story Bridge to traffic so it can be used by cyclists and pedestrians while work is underway to repair the bridge footpaths.

“However, the chaos this protest will cause will just prove the point that it’s simply not practical to close traffic lanes on the Story Bridge for the benefit of cyclists.”

Mr Wines said expert analysis by council found two lanes of the bridge would need to be closed to safely allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross – causing “daily traffic chaos” not just on the Story Bridge but across the city’s road network.

He added: “We’re working to ensure the footpaths are reopened within months.”

Queensland Police are set to make a last-minute bid to stop the demonstrators from marching and will appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court application was lodged after talks reportedly broke down between the two parties.

“Police and Brisbane City Council attempted to engage with the protest organiser in relation to suitable protest plans, however mediation was not successful,” the spokesperson told ABC News.

“Under provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act, police will lodge documentation with Brisbane Magistrates Court for a decision to be made with respect to the Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly.”

Protest organiser Kathryn Good said the protest would not go ahead if the court ruled it to be illegal.

“Brisbane City Council have accused us of holding an illegal protest,” she wrote to supporters on Tuesday.

“This is not only factually untrue, but an absolutely outrageous statement to make.”

She confirmed the organisers has submitted a Notice of Intention and informed Brisbane City Council ahead of time.

“The organisers including myself have engaged in good faith with QPS and BCC,” Ms Good added.

“We are aware that they are seeking a court order to prevent the process and we have every intention of complying with any court orders made.”

Ms Good said the protest had no affiliation with Extinction Rebellion, or any other political party or group.

More than 100 people are expected to march.