AusCycling will launch the inaugural two-day conference as a feature event during the 2024 Brisbane Cycling Festival (BCF) bringing together 300 delegates from the cycling community, industry, academia and government from 11 to 13 April.

With guaranteed support from BEDA over the next three years the conference will serve as a catalyst to drive millions of dollars in additional economic impact for the city.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane's partnership in hosting the Asia Pacific Cycling Conference cemented Brisbane’s reputation as a premier destination for both business and major events.

“Brisbane is a city that can do it all, and combining industry offerings with major events is the best possible outcome for our city as we maximise visitation and enhance economic opportunities,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Brisbane is a hub for active and healthy lifestyles aligning the Asia Pacific Cycling Conference with the Brisbane Cycling Festival will see the city become a key destination for bike tourism in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We look forward to welcoming hundreds of cycling enthusiasts to Brisbane, who will fill our hotels and restaurants, and deliver a significant economic impact.”

AusCycling collaborated with the city to strategically plan and design the APCC as a featured event to enhance the impact of BCF.

Marne Fechner, CEO at AusCycling said;

“With almost 4 million Australians riding a bike every week, it has never been more important to talk about the contribution cycling makes to Australia’s cities, towns and regions.

“The APCC is bringing together thought leaders across a range of disciplines and areas of interest to collaborate and share their expertise in a two-day program.

“We could not be happier with the calibre of speakers we have headlining the conference in 2024. They include Brent Toderian, based out of Canada he is an internationally respected practitioner and thought-leader on advanced urbanism, city planning, urban design.

John MacAurthur, who is the Sustainable Transportation Program Manager at TREC at Portland State University in the USA. He brings with him learnings and insights around emerging trends in micro-mobility; and the relationship between active transportation and public health.

Nick Morris, an Australian Paralympian who has worked across Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, and today continues to work with organisations to foster accessibility for all in universal design culture.”

Covering themes such as the evolution of the sport, urban planning, the establishment of bike-friendly cities, micromobility, bike tourism and the sustainability of trails, the conference will conclude with an invitation for delegates to participate in BCF highlight event Tour de Brisbane.

In 2023, Brisbane reinforced its position as one of the nation’s fastest-growing sustainable destinations, as the only Australian city to take out the prestigious gold level under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Cities Global Initiative, and only the second city globally.  

Improving access to sustainable and active transportation is a key element of Brisbane's transport plan, with a continued focus on reducing environmental impact and enhancing the health and wellbeing of residents.