We are delighted to see that the Yarra City Council has approved an extension of the area to which its 30km/h speed limit applies, to cover all the streets within the boundaries of the Melbourne suburbs of Fitzroy and Collingwood (apart from the Johnston Street arterial) [1]. Fitzroy and Collingwood are relatively densely populated inner city suburbs (with 19,610 residents), just 3 kilometres from Melbourne’s Central Business District. Around 28% of households across the two suburbs do not own a car (compared with 8.5% for Greater Melbourne) [2] indicating a very high reliance on walking and cycling in the area. Streets Alive Yarra, a local safe streets advocacy group (and Better Streets coalition member) has led the campaign for a street-friendly reduction in the speed limit. Founder and president Jeremy Lawrence said: “the reduced speed limit is the lowest cost measure for maximum possible safety access...benefitting people of all ages and abilities; kids, seniors, parents with prams.“ [4] The improved safety outcomes of the the City of Yarra trial reflects the overwhelming evidence from health and safety authority research, and the experience of cities around the world, including Toronto (Canada), Bogota (Columbia) and London (UK) [5]. Lower vehicle speeds on residential streets are not just about fewer crashes. Lower speeds support the use of the street for people of all ages and abilities to walk, to ride, to socialise, to gather at local businesses. For Better Streets, the 30km/h limit is a vital step to getting kids active, boosting local business, and providing transport choices. If you want people-friendly speed limits in your local streets:
[1] The Melbourne Age, 9 May 2024. Speed limit cut to 30km/h on almost every street in two suburbs.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/collingwood-and-fitzroy-streets-drop-to-30km-h-from-today-20240509-p5in8u.html [2] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021. Community profile for Fitzroy, Collingwood, Greater Melbourne. [3] The Melbourne Age, 15 November 2023. Melbourne council votes to drop speed limit to 30km/h to protect cyclists, pedestrians https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-council-votes-to-drop-speed-limit-to-30km-h-to-protect-cyclists-pedestrians-20231115-p5ek1k.html [4] Streets Alive Yarra, 9 May 2024. Yarra City Council Green Lights New 30km/h Speed Limit Trial https://streets-alive-yarra.org/journal/expanded-30-km-h-zone/ [5] Better Streets, Recommendation 2 https://www.betterstreets.org.au/slow-vehicles-downs.html
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Fairlight community members and businesses have partnered with Northern Beaches Council to host a street party in the village centre on Sydney Road. The slip road opposite the main shops will be closed to cars and traffic speeds reduced from 60 to 40km/h, allowing the village to come together and celebrate local artists, makers, musicians and community groups. There's a packed agenda with yoga classes, salsa classes, and a DJ. Come and join in the Fairlight fling. Event Date: Saturday 9 September 2023 Time: 10am to 2pm Location: Fairlight Village Centre, 147 Sydney Road, Fairlight NSW. 10 minutes walk from Manly Wharf or the 144 bus drops you in the heart of the village Event website: link The installation of temporary infrastructure such as artificial grass, planters, outdoor furniture and garden games on the road (often referred to as tactical or guerilla urbanism) will be a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of creating additional space for people and improving the safety of our streets.
Better Streets will be launching a new online mapping tool on the day that will allow community members to highlight opportunities to create safe, healthy, people-friendly, climate-friendly streets. Call to action: Better Streets are looking for volunteers to help with the event. We need:
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