Police make court bid to stop cycling protesters blocking Brisbane's Story Bridge
Police will make an eleventh-hour bid to stop cyclists shutting down Brisbane's Story Bridge at peak hour on Friday.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) will appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday to argue that the march, which would block all six lanes, should not go ahead on Friday morning.
Protesters are demanding Brisbane City Council dedicate one lane to cyclists and pedestrians.
The Story Bridge footpaths have been closed since March and council has repeatedly declined to say when they will re-open.
Protest organiser Kathryn Good said council's detour was a "nightmare" that turned a 10 minute cycle into a dangerous 35 minute commute.
"I'm personally aware of two people who have been involved in collisions while taking this detour," she said.
"It takes you through really busy one-way CBD streets that don't have any protected infrastructure for bikes or scooters.
"The point of protesting in peak hour is to point out the disparity between how motorists are treated when one major route into the city is closed for an hour, versus how active transport users are treated."
She said the protest would not go ahead if the court ruled it to be illegal.
At a council meeting on Tuesday, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the cycling activists would cause traffic chaos.
"It is fully backed and supported by the Greens who want to disrupt the 96 per cent of people who want to use the bridge for the benefit of the 4 per cent of people who want to use the bridge."
A QPS spokesperson said the court application had been made after talks broke down.
"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 said.
"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."
The Story Bridge was made off limits to pedestrians due to the footpaths deteriorating.
The Lord Mayor has repeatedly called on the state and federal government to help fund the bridge's repair.
But on Tuesday Cr Schrinner acknowledged council had not actually asked the Queensland government for money.
He said the council wanted to prepare a business case before making a formal request.
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