ITS Monday: Edition 26, 2023

ACT government proposes rethink of transport planning to promote safer cycling, walking options

“With its fast, safe roads and sprawling suburbs, Canberra has long been a city addicted to cars. But the ACT government says it is time to redesign the national capital, to make active travel
— such as cycling and micromobility alternatives like e-scooters — safer and more viable. It wants to retrofit Canberra’s streets and intersections to protect cyclists from traffic, and build more direct cycle paths to the places commuters actually want to go.”

Related iMOVE projects: Evaluation of the Wagga Wagga Active Travel Plan | Your Street, Your Say: Better streets for Darebin | Safer cycling and street design: A guide for policymakers

Strategic cycleway corridors for Greater Sydney

Staying with active transport, but this time in NSW, the NSW Government has a vision to double the number of trips made on foot or by bike over the next two decades. Here’s the plans it has to make this so.

Hierarchy of centers for the 15-minute city

“To achieve a 15-minute city, you not only need safe and interesting places to walk, but you also need useful destinations. That’s where mixed-use centers come in.”

Related iMOVE content: The 30-minute city: Small decisions for big gains

Liftango launches new on-demand service in New Zealand

“Software and mobility company Liftango has announced it has launched new on-demand and fixed route transport solutions for Nelson City Council in New Zealand. The new eBus OnDemand service will replace a previous fixed route to optimise vehicle and route usage as part of a more sustainable and efficient transport model.”

Seven car-makers band together to compete against Tesla’s charging network

“After the US Government announced a multi-billion dollar package for electric car charging infrastructure, a number of major car companies have announced they are forming their own charging network.” That’s General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.

Related iMOVE content: Electric vehicles: Supporting uptake, investigating smart charging

Busting the myths around truck width

An article from LinkedIn, so you will probably have to sign in to see it. “Are wider trucks going to be less safe? Categorically, no. While Australia eagerly awaits a decision by Federal transport ministers on reforms to Australia’s overall truck width limits, there has been some public commentary around the possible negative impacts of those increases, none of which have any merit.”

First seated e-scooters for Australian share services

“Seated e-scooters are available as part of a share service in Australia for the first time, with Beam introducing 200 of them to its Brisbane service last weekend. Beam says the seated scooters “offer a practical choice to those who find standing e-scooters and pedal assist e-bikes challenging for use, or those travelling longer distances”.”

Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users

Information into an upcoming Victorian government enquiry. “The Committee will investigate how road safety behaviours have changed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and consider the impact these changes have had on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, children 7 and under, older people and mobility device users.”

The hearings are set to take place on 8 and 9 August, 22 and 24 August, and 13 September 2023.

Related iMOVE content: Vulnerable Road Users