Streets and People

In this People on Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, we explore road safety education with John Duncan from Brake Australia.

John shares his journey from psychology to road safety, inspired by his father’s experience as a police officer delivering life-changing news to families of crash victims. This deeply personal connection is the foundation to Brake Australia's mission to improve road safety for high school students across Queensland.

Unlike its UK and New Zealand counterparts, Brake Australia focuses on the psychological and behavioural aspects of driving, such as risk assessment and peer pressure. The organisation’s evidence-based programs, developed in collaboration with CARRS-Q and crash research centres, are helping to shift young people's attitudes and behaviours towards safer driving.

John also highlights the crucial role of teachers and parents in delivering and reinforcing these important messages. The impact is clear, with the program achieving significant improvements in student attitudes toward driving. Brake Australia is now scaling its efforts with support from government grants and community partnerships.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about road safety education, community involvement, and how Brake Australia is expanding its reach across the country.

BRAKE Website: www.brake.org.au

BRAKE Parents Dashboard: www.brake.org.au/parents

Register for BRAKE: www.brake.org.au/register-for-brake-now

Support BRAKE: www.brake.org.au/brake-partners-and-supporters

BRAKE E-mobility Safety Program: www.brake.org.au/pmd-escooter-optional-module

BRAKE LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/brake-australia

BRAKE Facebook: www.facebook.com/brakeaustralia

Contact BRAKE: [email protected]

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In this People and Projects episode of The Streets and People Podcast, Andrew Talati discusses the transition from BunchRides to NeighbourlyRide. He explains the motivation behind NeighbourlyRide, focusing on using cycling to address loneliness, encourage community engagement, and promote physical activity.

Andrew also covers the challenges of securing grant funding, the diverse community participation, and the broader implications of building social infrastructure. He highlights the importance of fostering human connections in today’s digital society and how initiatives like NeighbourlyRide help strengthen neighbourhood ties while promoting inclusivity and health.

Join Andrew and Wendy for an insightful conversation on community-based cycling programs and the value of neighbourly connections.

Read Andrew's blog

Go for a NeighbourlyRide

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What if we told you the best way to shape your neighbourhood isn’t with blueprints or boring public meetings - but with toys, laughter, and found objects?

In this People and Projects episode of Streets and People, Wendy chats with James Rojas and John Kamp, the creative minds behind Dream Play Build. These two are flipping the script on community engagement. Forget jargon-filled consultations and slide decks. James and John show how playful, hands-on methods unlock people’s imagination and voice.

You’ll hear how James went from building miniature worlds as a kid in East LA to reshaping real urban spaces. And how John’s background in environmental activism taught him the power of humour and joy to shift hearts and minds. Together, they’ve developed a proven method that uses art, play, and sensory experiences to draw people in, build trust, and deliver real-world results.

Whether you're an urban planner, community organiser, or just want to make your area better, this episode will inspire you to dream, play, and build with your community at the centre.

Dream Play Build: Hands-On CommunityEngagement for Enduring Spaces and Places https://islandpress.org/books/dream-play-build (discount code PLACEIT)

One of Planetizen's top planning anddesign books of 2022: https://www.planetizen.com/features/119960-top-urban-planning-books-2022

You can contact them at www.prairieform.com⁠GetAroundCaboolture.au

This People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast explores a confronting but crucial topic — suicides in the transport system and their exclusion from Australia’s official road safety data. Host Wendy speaks with Professor Milad Milani, whose research shines a light on intentional road crashes, a hidden part of our road trauma story.

Together, they unpack the challenges in identifying and classifying suicide-related crashes, and how this affects both prevention and support. They discuss statistical patterns, vulnerable demographics, and why it's essential to include these incidents in road safety strategies. This sensitive conversation about suicide runs until 17:38.

From 17:38 onward, the discussion shifts to the broader landscape of road safety improvements in Australia — particularly progress made up until 2023. However, Milad explains how this progress is now under threat with the increasing presence of much larger vehicles on suburban streets, posing new and growing challenges for vulnerable road users.

This is a powerful and timely conversation that calls for open dialogue, more compassionate systems, and stronger policies that respond to emerging risks on our roads.

Connect with Milad https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4267932/

We chat about recent articles Milad has published in The Conversation.

• Suicide or accident? The hidden complexities of intentional road crashes in Australia https://theconversation.com/suicide-or-accident-the-hidden-complexities-of-intentional-road-crashes-in-australia-248673
• Australian roads are getting deadlier - pedestrians and males are among those at greater risk https://theconversation.com/australian-roads-are-getting-deadlier-pedestrians-and-males-are-among-those-at-greater-risk-256994
• Drivers of SUVs and pick-ups should pay more to be on our roads. Here’s how to make the system fairer https://theconversation.com/drivers-of-suvs-and-pick-ups-should-pay-more-to-be-on-our-roads-heres-how-to-make-the-system-fairer-252381
• Even calm people can fly into a rage behind the wheel. Here’s how to curb your road rage – before it’s too late https://theconversation.com/even-calm-people-can-fly-into-a-rage-behind-the-wheel-heres-how-to-curb-your-road-rage-before-its-too-late-244402
• Most car-ramming incidents aren’t terrorism – but they’re becoming more common and crowds need better protection https://theconversation.com/most-car-ramming-incidents-arent-terrorism-but-theyre-becoming-more-common-and-crowds-need-better-protection-257628
• In Australia, 1 in 5 road deaths is a motorcyclist. We can make them safer https://theconversation.com/in-australia-1-in-5-road-deaths-is-a-motorcyclist-we-can-make-them-safer-250652
• Here’s why some people still evade public transport fares – even when they’re 50 cents https://theconversation.com/heres-why-some-people-still-evade-public-transport-fares-even-when-theyre-50-cents-249739
• E-bike popularity is booming. But are they as safe as regular bikes? https://theconversation.com/e-bike-popularity-is-booming-but-are-they-as-safe-as-regular-bikes-242703
• Electric car sales have slumped. Misinformation is one of the reasons https://theconversation.com/electric-car-sales-have-slumped-misinformation-is-one-of-the-reasons-240545

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Walking, biking, riding—and meeting changemakers along the way.

In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, host Wendy sits down with Emmanuelle Bugara, an active transport enthusiast from Lille, France, who, with her partner, is setting off on an extraordinary global journey.

Their mission? To walk, cycle, and use public transport across continents, connecting with people who are reshaping the way we move through cities. Emmanuelle believes that leadership in transport change comes not just from top-down policy but from stories, lived experiences, and everyday people choosing different ways to move.

They’ll explore bike lanes in Bogotá, public transit in Tokyo, and pedestrian paths in Toronto. Along the way, they’re hoping to meet city-shapers, local advocates, and curious citizens who care about active mobility and want to share what’s working.

If you’re in one of these places (or know someone who is) reach out and say hello:

Cities:
Lille, London, Cardiff (Wales), Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavík, Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, New Orleans, Nashville, Santiago, Melbourne, Sydney

Countries:
France, UK, Wales, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, USA, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, French Polynesia (Tahiti), New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, China, India, Turkey

Whether you’re running a community bike project, working in city planning, or just love getting around on foot, Emmanuelle would love to meet you. This episode is a call to connect, to share what’s working, and to celebrate the joy and freedom of moving through the world under your own power.

Follow their journey. Share your street. Change the story.

During the episode, we discuss these too!

The movie Tomorrow (in French Demain) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4449576/

To contact Emmanuelle: Les Lunettes Jaunes (Yellow Glasses) https://www.linkedin.com/company/les-lunettes-jaunes/posts/?feedView=articles&viewAsMember=true and ⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Babel-tour/61557164720879/⁠

Connecting people with songs: Instagram Babel Tour Sing with us: https://www.instagram.com/babel_tour_singwithus/

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On today's People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Blair Turner, a leading road safety expert, discusses the Austroads guide "Facilitating Speed Management Change: Example Case Studies from Australia and New Zealand."

Drawing on his international experience and consultancy work, he unpacks key lessons from real-world examples, focusing on how to effectively implement speed reductions. The conversation explores the role of local governments, the importance of communication and community engagement, and how speed management links to broader outcomes like health, equity, and environmental sustainability. Turner highlights the practical strategies that make change possible—and the pitfalls to avoid.

The new Austroads document on speed case studies (https://austroads.gov.au/publications/road-safety/ap-t381-25)

The World Bank guide to speed management (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/publications/guide-safe-speeds-managing-traffic-speeds-save-lives-and-improve-livability)

The Speed management hub (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/speed-management-hub)The Guide to Mobility for Livable Pacific Cities (https://www.theprif.org/community-of-practice/15th-prif-community-practice-guide-mobility-for-livable-pacific-cities)

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What if the real danger on our streets isn’t reckless drivers—but the people who designed them?

In this powerful People and Projects episode of The Streets and People Podcast, traffic engineer and author Wes Marshall joins the show to unpack the hard truths behind his provocative new book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer. With two decades of experience and a sabbatical spent studying global best practices—including time in Australia—Marshall invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about road safety.

Why do our roads still kill thousands each year, even as technology advances? Because, as Marshall reveals, many of our transportation systems are built on outdated assumptions, misaligned priorities, and silent values that prioritise speed over human life. And the worst part? We often blame the victim—labeling crashes as “accidents”—instead of fixing the systems that enable them.

This episode is a must-listen for city planners, engineers, elected officials, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why isn’t my street safe?” Marshall makes the complex accessible, using bite-sized chapters in his book and clear language in this interview to show how small changes—and smarter questions—can lead to life-saving results.

Whether you’re a professional or just passionate about safe streets, this conversation arms you with the insight and confidence to speak up, push back, and demand better. Because safe design isn’t a luxury—it’s a choice.

Where to buy Wes' excellent book new, used or ebook: https://booko.com.au/9781642833300/Killed-by-a-Traffic-Engineer-Shattering-the-Delusion-That-Science-Underlies-Our-Transportation-System

Check out Wes Marshall's website: Wes MarshallAnd on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wesmars.bsky.social

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Why should we care about where we park? According toepidemiologist Michael Garber, the answer goes far beyond convenience. In his conversation with Wendy on this People and Projects episode on the Streets and People podcast, he reveals a surprising connection between parking policy and community health. Parking lots aren't just empty space, they contribute to the urban heat island effect, reduce green areas, increase flooding risk, and deepen car dependency. These design choices fuel air pollution, traffic injuries, inactivity, and even social isolation. Worse still, they hit vulnerable communities hardest, compounding inequity. Garber makes a compelling case: rethinking how we plan and price parking isn't just about urban design - it’s a public health intervention. If city leaders and individuals act with health in mind, we can build greener, safer, more equitable places for everyone.

Here's Michael's article, Parking & Public Health (open access): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40572-024-00465-4

If you'd like to know more about Michael, check out his website https://michaeldgarber.github.io

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In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, we chat with Susan Leadbetter, a leader in gender-inclusive design and transport. Susan shares insights from her work with over 600 women across the UK, exploring how safety and accessibility shape public transport experiences, especially for women and marginalised communities. Susan provides practical solutions like better lighting, wayfinding, inclusive design from the start, and how collecting the right data can lead to better decisions. Susan also highlights the value of engaging underrepresented voices in planning and design, and how small changes can make a big difference.

Susan's White Paper Cultivating Inclusive and Green Transport

Recommended articles

• How Can We Design Cities That Are Safer For Women? | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Advancing Safe Community Spaces for All | WSP

We also discuss Marina Milosev’s episode and how her work connects with Susan’s

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Why are pedestrians packed onto narrow footpaths while cars glide through wide, empty lanes? In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy speaks with Chris de Gruyter, researcher at RMIT's Centre for Urban Research, about why street space so often feels unfair—and what we can do about it.

Chris shares the simple but powerful story that sparked his work: watching foot traffic squeeze past a busy Malaysian restaurant while car lanes sat mostly empty. That moment led to a study of 60 shopping strips across Melbourne, where he found a pattern—people were crammed into a small fraction of street space, while vehicles were given far more than their share.

Traditional ways of measuring street use, Chris explains, often focus only on car flow. But people walking use space differently. He describes the new methods he developed that account for how people move, gather, and spend time, adjusting for space efficiency. His research shows that when you measure what's happening on the ground, the case for reallocating space becomes clear.

Chris and Wendy also talk about how local governments started using parklets and outdoor dining to rethink street design during COVID-19. They explore challenges like public resistance to losing parking spots, and how to tackle those barriers through better community engagement and smarter policy.

If you're wondering how we can make streets more vibrant and equitable—not just for drivers but for everyone—this conversation offers a hopeful, practical roadmap.

🎧 Listen in to hear why measuring time and presence on our streets might be the key to unlocking better places for us all.

Link to research paper that develops six measures of street space use: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692325000882

The research paper that compares street space allocation with street space use in Melbourne’s activity centres: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096669232200062X

The working paper that compares street space allocation with street space use for individual activity centres across Melbourne: https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/street-space-allocation-study-final-working-paper-september-2021.pdf

The Cities People Love article about street space allocation and use: https://citiespeoplelove.co/article/street-space-allocation-and-use-in-melbourne-s-activity-centres

We also mention these episodes:

James Reynolds on bike lane implementation https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e12-pp-james-reynolds-james-reynolds-on-what-it-really-takes-to-get-kids-riding/

Rod King on 30kph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e24-pp-rod-king-20s-plenty-in-the-uk-discusses-how-to-get-safe-street-speeds-from-30mph-50kph-to-20mph-30kph/

Becky on driving at 30kph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e53-ned-becky-shares-her-experiences-disliking-driving-at-30kph-to-finding-it-enjoyable/

Lisa Stafford on Trips Not Made https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e10-pp-lisa-stafford-on-transport-equity-why-trips-not-made-matter/

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