Our Asks
​Set targets for active travel
The NSW government has set a target to double active travel so call upon all local governments in the Lane Cove area to set similar targets for active travel and to develop policies, programs and regulations to support meeting those targets.
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We ask that Councils monitor and report on the mode of travel to their centres and facilities, and set targets to reduce car trips and the generation of traffic.
We also ask that schools monitor and report on the mode of travel to school, and set targets for students and parents to reduce vehicle trips.
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We ask that mode share data be collated by Council and provided to the community through their sustainability reporting framework.
A connected bike network
We call upon all Councils within the Lane Cove area to build a connected network of bike paths for people of all ages and ability. To achieve our sustainability goals, reduce traffic and congestion, accommodate population growth, and provide our kids with healthy travel options, we ask that the complete network is budgeted, designed and built by 2027.
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Our vision of a complete bike network means there should be a bike path separated from traffic on any street with a high volume of traffic or speeds >30km/h. Where needed, we support the reallocation of road space from traffic lanes and on-street parking to provide safe and attractive places to ride.
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We support the use of debt financing to allocate the cost of this network over the productive life of these assets, to accelerate the development of the network, to reduce the up-front financial burden on rate payers and taxpayers, and to ensure the beneficiaries of the network, including future generations, contribute equally and fairly to the development of the bike network.
30km/h streets
Someone driving at speeds greater than 30km/h is significantly more likely to kill a person in a collision with people walking or riding a bicycle. According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, in a crash between a car and somebody walking, there is a 10 per cent risk that the person will be killed at 30 km/h, 40 per cent risk at 40 km/h, and a 90 per cent risk at 50 km/h. Overall, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have concluded that an increase in the average speed of 1 km/h results in a 3% higher risk of a crash and a 4 to 5% increase in fatalities
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Evidence from around the world shows that low speed streets reduce the risk of serious injuries and save lives. In Toronto, Canada, road crashes fell by 28% since speed limits were reduced from 40 to 30 km/h in 2015, which led to a reduction in serious and fatal injuries by two thirds.
In Colombia, Bogota has included 30km/h zones in a package of measures in its Speed Management Plan that have reduced traffic fatalities by 32%.
A study from London found that lower speed limits (in this case 20mph zones) were associated with a 42% reduction in road casualties. In contrast in Bristol the introduction of 20mph limits was associated with a 63% reduction in fatal injuries between 2008 and 2016. Restricting the city's speed limits to 20mph (30km/h) without extra traffic-calming measures and police patrols has reduced road deaths by almost a quartering in Edinburgh.
Support local businesses with beautiful streetscapes
Over time we’ve allowed our streets to become noisy, traffic-filled roads and it’s keeping us from enjoying the businesses and activities on offer.
Too much traffic puts people off spending time on a high street.
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People walking or riding a bicycle spend more money in local retailers than people driving do, so we need to make it easy for people to access shops on foot and by bike.
Council can make streets pleasant places to be by:
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Building more pedestrian crossings in the places where people want to cross introduce traffic calming and safer 30km speeds
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Providing more space for people to walk and rest – wider pavements, plazas, seating, greenery, car space conversion
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Easy access by bike and plenty of bike parking
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Install planters and street furniture
These actions mean everyone has access to participate in their community, relax and unwind, and have an enjoyable experience as they shop.