WalkSydney: February 2023
Upcoming events
Public forum with Dr Elizabeth Farrelly -
Saturday 18 February 2023 11:00 am
The New South Wales Transport Coalition is inviting candidates for the upcoming state election to present their vision for transport. Meet Dr Elizabeth Farrelly. She is a writer, architect, columnist, academic and long-time public interest advocate. Now she is attempting something that has never been done, election as an Independent member of the NSW Legislative Council, or upper house. Trained in architecture and philosophy, she has a PhD in urbanism and was for 30 years the Sydney Morning Herald’s main weekly columnist on public interest matters – from city-making and environment to agriculture, public art and social justice. A board member of the National Trust (NSW) she has published five books, most recently Killing Sydney; the fight for a city’s soul (Picador 2021). She is currently building an off-grid shed-house in the country. RSVP here.
Better Streets Ride/Walk -
Saturday 4 March 2023
The Better Streets Weekend is a call to action, where all across NSW, community members will come together in a show of support for Better Streets in their local area. We want all NSW election candidates to prioritise Better Streets for all.
As a community, we have the power to make a difference in creating safer, healthier and more accessible spaces for walking and cycling. Let's work together to advocate for the infrastructure and policies that promote active transportation. Whether you walk, cycle, or simply believe in making our streets better for everyone, we need your voice. When: Saturday 4th March 2023. Find out more here.
WalkSydney at the SydneySummit
Lena Huda, president of WalkSydney presented to 350 business and political leaders at the Sydney Summit, our big idea for Sydney: 30km/h speed limits for local streets.
This flagship event by the Committee for Sydney was a great forum to make our case for one of the key ingredients needed for children and elderly people to get around. Lower speeds means streets are easier to cross, make it cheaper to build and maintain footpaths and significantly reduce noise.
Watch a recording of her speech here.
NSW Active Transport Strategy
Transport for NSW has released its first ever Active Transport Strategy, a milestone for Transport.
There is a lot to like in the Strategy, describing what needs to be done to make active transport a real choice for more people. However, its long-term targets and implied funding investment show a lack of real commitment from TfNSW and our political leaders.
The Strategy recognises that the designs of our roads, streets and precincts need to create safer and more pleasant places. Reduced car speeds and low-speed environments have to be an essential feature.
It is great to see that facilitation children’s independent mobility by improving safe walking options is part of the plan.
Photo: NSW Active Transport Strategy
That is in stark difference to the terrible messaging we have seen over the past years from the NSW Road safety departments claiming that under 10’s don’t have the cognitive abilities to deal with NSW’s car movements.
Their recommendation was to hold hands with them until the age of 10 years old when crossing a street. Streets too hard to cross for 8 year olds are often also too hard for 80 year olds. People living with disabilities, elderly people and children should not have to rely on able adults to drive or walk them around because our road safety departments are not willing to apply global best practice to create safe streets for all people to get around safely.
WalkSydney welcomes the idea of an Active Transport Strategy. It brings clear recognition of the opportunities available across health, amenity, sustainability and liveability of our suburbs, towns and cities. However, we would like to see more commitment and support from the government to put the strategy into action.
Street Clutter
The City of Sydney has paused the installation of a new style of advertising panel on footpaths under a new contract, after multiple complaints about their bulk and the negative effect on Sydney’s walkability. WalkSydney welcomes these to be removed when they are in the way. Generally speaking, we should aim to remove clutter from footpaths, not add to it. WalkSydney blogger Jake Coppinger mapped out all the panels across the Sydney, what a legend. Find out more here.
Media coverage
The SMH reported on 30km/h limits.
Lena was interviewed by ABC Sydney:
Call in:
ABC Illawarra:
WalkSydney joins Better Streets Coalition
WalkSydney has joined the newly formed Better Streets coalition.
Better Streets is a coalition of planners, advocates and community groups working to support better streets for people.
We’re jointly calling for safe, healthy, people-friendly, climate-friendly streets that are accessible to all of us, to give people more options to move around safely and enjoyably.
Are you part of an organisation that could come onboard? Find out about how to join the coalition here.
Join WalkSydney
By joining WalkSydney you’ll get involved with activities and ideas to make Greater Sydney safe and pleasant for pedestrians. People-friendly streets are the foundation of healthy, inclusive, connected, and sustainable communities.
We are run by a committee of volunteers and are always looking for engaged advocates.
Not quite ready to become a committee member?
There’s strength in numbers, so please consider joining us as a paying member.
Sign up here to make walking in your local LGA and Sydney better.