Increasing Active Transport in the Macedon Ranges
A rethink of priorities
Urban Design is failing our community. We are finding it increasingly hard to summon the courage to walk or cycle around as our towns. It is hard to cross roads or walk along dirt roads.. Lack of pedestrian prioritised crossings, divide our townships into ‘islands’. New developments are designed for car use only so the pathways for pedestrians and cyclists are indirect disconnected without design consideration, hostile afterthoughts.
Around the world there is growing recognition of the impact good urban design has on our health and wellbeing. Providing safe enjoyable direct pathways with carefully considered design, we connect people with each other and to our natural environment. Financially this helps by keeping people out of hospital as well as reducing our dependance on cars. Win win!
For this reason there is a growing movement towards supporting Active Transport as our highest priority requires consideration in all levels of strategic planning.
Active Transport is walking or cycling around our neighbourhoods as alternative to only car use.
Incidental exercise is when it is incorporated into everyday activities eg. to school, shop… which becomes part of a healthy regular routine.
To support Active Transport TAG is working with our local Council to bring some of these new initiatives to the Woodend as a first test case.
We need to consider:
Lowering the Speed limits
20km/hr - approaching speed humps/crossings eg Brooke St, Romsey Rd.
30km/hr - dirt roads eg Dickens st, Goldies lane, Tweedle lane/shared roads eg Owens St, Brewster St, Davys St/side roads High St ‘30km/hr is optimal speed to prevent vulnerable road users pedestrian/cyclist death’ TAC
40km/hr - neighbourhoods ‘40km/hr zones have been introduced in areas with lots of pedestrians such as schools, residential streets and shopping precincts so that if a collision does occur, those involved are protected from serious or fatal injuries’ TAC (adopted in Melb 2030 Transport Strategic Planning)
50km/hr - through traffic/ main roads within 800m radius from schools eg Romsey rd, Brooke St, Forest St, Ashbourne Rd, Mt Macedon Rd. Separated cycle lanes.
60km/hr - through traffic/main roads within 2km radius from schools eg Avenue of Honour, Black Forest Rd, Tylden Rd, Mt Macedon Rd, Ashbourne Rd
80km/hr - maximum speed on rural roads
Safe infrastructure - Dedicated continuous shared paths running N-S to schools
North Woodend neighbourhood to Bentinck Crossing down High Street, under bridge cross 5 Mile Creek to community centre, library, through town via service lanes to railway, cross to Ashbourne Rd neighbourhood.
North Woodend neighbourhood to Bentinck Crossing along East St through WPS garden (walking only), cross bridge at 5 Mile Creek, along Nicholson St to Templeton St, Brooke St Crossing, under railway bridge to Quarry Rd neighbourhood.
We will be asking the Community to list their priorities so we can pursue funding in the next budget. Most urgent being:
Walking/cycling pathway along Templeton/Nicholson St
Brooke Street Crossing
Bentinck Crossing at Romsey Rd
40km/hr speed limit within town boundary
Coles intersection safe, direct and enjoyable walking and cycling infrastructure
Shared path to Braemar (and Hanging Rock) via 5 Mile Creek
Adopt 2014 Woodend Masterplan to slow down High St traffic, renew service lanes to remove car parking and install safe walking and cycling infrastructure.
Advocate for parkiteer bike cages at all railway stations and bike facility access on all train journeys.
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