Safer walking and cycling experiences for Noosa Shire and Noosa electorate residents was the focus of a recent Zero Emissions Noosa Inc project.
In addition to walking and riding the routes studied, a community engagement survey was conducted. he Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton provided an MP funded grant from her office operating budget for the walking and cycling project.
“Safe links and crossings across our electorate and shire are vital, whether on the road or pathways to provide greater safety for more residents to make the switch to walking and riding,” Ms Bolton said.
Dr Carina Anderson, chair of ZEN Inc’s transport working group said “behavioural change toward active transport, such as walking, cycling and e- cycling, is needed to help to decrease carbon emissions from transport”.
“When more people use active transport it reduces emissions and traffic congestion, in turn making it safer for walking and cycling. However, for this behaviour change toward active transport to happen, all members in our community need to feel safe walking and cycling. Prioritising walking and cycling hot spots that need to be remedied will ensure community safety.“
The project undertaken by ZEN Inc looked at some of the reasons why people don’t feel safe walking and cycling and what can be done to make walking and cycling safer.
Those involved in the project suggested the nine ways to improve safety
1. Maintenance of vegetation along walking and cycling pathways.
2. Designated cycle paths for navigating roundabouts.
3. More signs to alert all users of shared pathways to reduce the speed of cyclists and e-mobility users and not park in bike lanes.
4. Width of shared pathways.
5. Greater awareness of the needs of both cyclists and pedestrians.
6. Better lighting.
7. Greater understanding of biking rules.
8. Increasing the number of intersections with zebra crossings stripes.
9. Improved connectivity and infrastructure.
Careful consideration and priority of separate bike pathways in planning stages would make it safer for all users and would result in a greater uptake of sustainable transport.
According to Dr Anderson, “33 per cent of emissions in Noosa Shire are from transport. Reducing emissions from transport by getting more people walking and cycling is a priority”.
“The benefits to our health, hip pocket and community wellbeing through reduced emissions and costs, as well as improved physical and mental fitness are very good reasons why we need to map these links for planning and funding,” Ms Bolton said.
“The findings have been provided to both Noosa Council and State Government as the precincts covered have roads and paths under the jurisdiction of both, and will be exampled in any related advocacy going forward. Thank you to the Zero Emissions Noosa team for this work which we trust will see further efforts in creating greater connectivity, sustainability and livability,” she said.
