The Rapidly Changing Demands for Active Travel from a Regional Context - Fraser Coast Regional Council

Abstract

Covid 19 has had many unexpected impacts on Councils, one such area has been in the Active Travel realm. The explosion of electric scooters and bicycle sales, the shift away from public transport and more time to undertake recreational activities has seen a major surge in the number of participants in Active Travel across the region. The Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2020 adopted a new Active Travel Strategy. The region has some unique Active Travel features; relatively flat terrain, high median age, high tourist demand, low commuter participation and low school ride/walk participation. While some excellent facilities exist across the region the strategy has identified significant gaps in the network particularly on higher order roads and links to the main corridors. Key outcomes are to increase participation, promotion of benefits and events, major expansion of on road cycle infrastructure. Further to this has been the rapid changes as a result of implementing the Austroads Safe Systems Approaches for Vulnerable Road Users. In Queensland this has largely been driven by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and is a major shift from vehicle dominance to pedestrian and cycle safety improvements. Much of this seems to have been driven from of Brisbane and Gold Coast where there has been a high demand resulting in major expansion of separated cycle infrastructure, priority routes and conflict points that reduce speeds to 30km/hr. Council has sought to adapt to these changes, with the promotion of pedestrian and cycle facilities in corridor upgrades. • Constructed projects include Sydney Street school priority crossing, • Final design projects include Russell Street school priority route, Boundary Road Extension • Concept designs for Beach Road, Robert Street and other school priority routes As with any new device there have been concerns raised including; education of motorists, education of cyclists and pedestrians, high cost, appropriateness on heavy vehicle routes. This presentation will provide lessons learnt from the implementing the Active Strategy as well as the mind shift associated with Safe Systems.