Streets and People

In this People & Projects episode, Wendy interviews Stephen Hodge from We Ride Australia. The discussion highlights Stephen's background in riding bikes, from university competitions to promoting riding at a national policy level. They discuss the benefits of riding bikes for transport and health, the lack of infrastructure for safe bike paths, and innovative programs like 'RideScore Active Schools' to encourage children to ride to school. The conversation underlines the economic, social, and health benefits of riding bikes, and the importance of advocacy to improve bike infrastructure in Australia.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.weride.org.au

This is one of the People & Projects series to look at what’s happening around the world and closer to home.

People & Projects (P&P) are for people who are curious to hear what’s happening globally and locally. These are interviews with academics, advocates and community group leaders.

Road Rules 360 (RR360) cohosted with John Burrill, former TMR subject matter expert for Qld’s road rules. We discuss the road rules for people riding a bike, walking, in a wheelchair or on a scooter or other personal mobility device (PMD). 

Not Everyone Drives (NED) are conversations with people who don’t drive for any reason. They may have a disability, on medication, strapped for cash, too young, too old, unlicensed or they had a collision and now they’re too scared (you might be surprised why a person can’t drive and how the lack of alternatives impacts their daily living). This one’s for policymakers to understand the implications for their decisions. 

In this episode of the Streets and People podcast, tune in as you listen to Ruth Rosas from America Walks share her inspiring journey. Imagine growing up in a car-centric small town in Illinois, only to later embrace the vibrant, car-free life in Chicago. You'll feel the energy as Ruth discusses the sights, sounds, and sensations of moving through the city using alternative transportation modes. Hear about the powerful impact of robust public transit and dive into the mission of America Walks, from campaigns to decriminalize jaywalking to the dynamic National Walking College. This conversation is a vivid exploration of the challenges and rewards of living without a car and the push to create walkable, accessible cities for everyone, especially those who can't drive by choice or circumstance.

weekwithoutdriving.org

GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

In this Road Rules 360 episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy Nash and John Burrill discuss often overlooked road rules pertaining to pedestrians. John, a retired road rules expert, highlights the complexities and inconsistencies within these regulations. They explore rules for crossing roads, interacting with vehicles at roundabouts and using pedestrian crossings among other topics. Their conversation emphasises the challenges of navigating streets safely as a pedestrian and questions the car-centricity of current road design, infrastructure and legislation. The episode aims to entertain and inform, without providing legal advice.

In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy Nash chats with Irene McAleese, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of See.Sense about her journey riding bikes and her company's innovative bike light technology. Initially starting as a personal safety project, See.Sense has evolved into a data-driven solution aimed at improving rider safety via advanced sensors and AI. The discussion covers Irene's experiences and challenges in launching a startup, the impact of bike data on urban planning and potential community projects to foster inclusivity and safety in the bike riding world. Irene shares insights from her presentation at the Asia Pacific Bike Riding Conference and discusses her vision for safer, bike-friendly cities.

www.seesense.cc 

www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

See more information about the research here: https://imoveaustralia.com/project/project-outcomes/understanding-the-cyclist-experience-to-improve-their-road-safety/ and here: https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023_ARSC_Full-Proceedings.pdf

In this Not Everyone Drives episode of the Streets and People podcast, hosted by Wendy Nash, Travis Bassett shares his experiences and insights as an avid bike rider from Brisbane's Sherwood area. Travis, a podcast listener, discusses his reasons for financially supporting the podcast, focusing on promoting local stories and combating challenges in the area with fewer bike-friendly resources compared to places like Canada. Travis reminisces about extensive cycle tours in Europe and highlights the contrasts in bike riding culture, specifically the freedom experienced by children in Holland. He talks about the utility and benefits of using an electric cargo bike for daily commutes and school drop-offs, emphasizing its impact on fitness and convenience. Discussions also cover practical strategies for improving local bike infrastructure, the significance of community advocacy, and the potential benefits of electric bikes. The conversation underscores the importance of local bike riding networks, community engagement, and policy advocacy to enhance biking experiences and safety.

Travis's recommended videos:

www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

https://bq.org.au/advocacy/bicycle-user-groups

In this People and Projects episode, Wendy Nash interviews Dr. Anthony Kimpton, a lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland and an expert in urban planning and geographical information systems (GIS). Wendy and Anthony discuss his background in sociology and how it led to his work in planning and transport data.

Anthony explains the importance of designing cities that prioritise walking and bike riding over cars to promote financial sustainability and public health. He also describes the use of GIS in urban planning, its evolution from static maps to interactive digital tools, and his current project focusing on participatory GIS (PGIS).

This project aims to empower communities to engage in urban planning by identifying barriers and enablers in their local environments. The discussion also touches on Anthony’s experience teaching urban planning, his work with honours and PhD students, and the future of public transport and active communities in Australia.

This People & Projects episode features a discussion between Wendy and Ishara Sahama, who met at the Asia Pacific Bike Riding Conference in Brisbane. Ishara talks about her role as a co-founder of the startup Echo Impact Group, working on the social impact of cycling infrastructure. The conversation delves into community engagement, the importance of grassroots movements, and how community views impact urban planning and infrastructure development. Ishara explains her expertise in human geography and community organizing, emphasising the need to integrate lived experiences into decision-making processes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of car dependency in urban areas and the importance of collaborative efforts in building sustainable community engagement.

Ishara Sahama suggested these readings and supporting materials to further your understanding of what it means to centre and listen to community:

You can discover more about Ishara Sahama's work here: www.EchoImpactGroup.org.

On GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au, you'll see lots of tools and resources to bring more life and vibrancy to your streets and community.

In this People and Projects episode, Wendy Nash interviews Iden Petraj, the Bike Mayor of Tirana, Albania. They discuss the substantial changes in Tirana's bike infrastructure, the role of a Bike Mayor, and the initiatives to promote bike riding within the city. Iden highlights the increase in bicycle parking spots, efforts to improve safety for bike riders, especially women, and provides insight into community projects targeting low-income areas. The conversation also covers the general bike riding culture in Tirana, comparisons with cities like Copenhagen, and the impact of winning Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure project by Bloomberg Philanthropies on funding on local bike riding projects.

Find out more about Bloomberg Philanthopies and which other cities won this very coveted prize: https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/bici and https://globaldesigningcities.org/

GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

In this Road Rules 360 episode, Wendy Nash and John Burrill, former TMR Road Rules expert, discuss the complexities of road rules surrounding wheeled recreational devices (such as skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblades) and personal mobility devices.

They explore definitions, legal requirements, safety guidelines, and the blurred distinctions between different types of devices. Despite John’s extensive experience in transport, both hosts acknowledge the confusing nature of current regulations and discuss how they could be simplified for better clarity and public understanding.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/skateboards

Find our list of tools, resources and podcasts on www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au.

On this People & Projects episode, Wendy Nash and Peter Parker discuss the successful community-led 'Fix 800 Bus' campaign in southeast Melbourne. Peter Parker, a transport planner, shares the initiative's triumph in securing seven-day bus services for the City of Greater Dandenong. The conversation looks into the campaign's strategies, the importance of community engagement, the social benefits of improved bus services, and the challenges faced along the way. Key takeaways include fostering community conversations, leveraging local media, and the role of local government in advocating for better transport solutions.

To find out more about Peter Parker and the Fix800Bus project, check out these resources:

Fix800Bus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fix800Bus
Melbourne on Transit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbOnTransit
Melbourne on Transit blog: https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com

www.GetAroundCaboCarfree.com.au