Richard Buning

Dr. Richard Buning is a Senior Lecturer in the Tourism discipline at the University of Queensland Business School and serves as the Research Lead of the UQ Micromobility Research Cluster. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Florida. Recognized as one of Australia’s leading voices on micromobility and e-mobility, as well as a global scholar for cycling tourism, Buning’s research focuses on active living, tourism systems, and destination development. His work examines how tourists and residents engage in physical activity as a driver of tourism behavior and community health, including active lifestyle sports such as mountain biking, cycling, running, rock climbing, and hiking, as well as sports club participation. Additionally, he investigates active transport features of destination mobility systems, including bikeshare, e-scooters, and micromobility to enable healthier, more active, and sustainable communities for both residents and visitors. This research directly informs public policy and industry strategy.

Buning has worked extensively with active transport providers, sporting organizations, and state and local governments across Australia and the United States, regularly consulting on data-driven strategy development for active mobility systems, events, and community-based tourism initiatives. His research outcomes have contributed to improved economic performance, increased visitor dispersal, reduced congestion pressures, enhanced public health outcomes, and strengthened community wellbeing in destination contexts through sustainable transport and active tourism strategies. Key publications include “Adventure tourism motivation and destination loyalty: A comparison of decision and non-decision makers” (2018, Journal of Destination Marketing & Management), “The role of travel conditions in cycling tourism: Implications for destination and event management” (2016, Journal of Sport & Tourism), “A case study of the US mountain bike tourism market” (2019, Journal of Vacation Marketing), “Mountain bike tourism economic impacts: A critical analysis of academic and practitioner studies” (2021, Tourism Economics), “Charting a research agenda for micromobility and tourism” (2025), and numerous articles on e-scooter behaviors, e-bike safety, and bikeability. Funded projects encompass “Bikeability for transportation: tools and data for research and practice” (2021-2023, Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network), “Transport Innovation and Research Hub” (2020-2025, Brisbane City Council), and “Activators and Barriers to Youth Outdoor Recreation in Queensland” (2019, Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation Incorporated). His scholarship regularly appears in leading tourism, sport, and transport journals, as well as popular press outlets.