Political Party leaders have been rewarded for publicly supporting cycling in Tasmania but will they now commit to funding implementation of Hobarts Regional Arterial Bicycle Plan and Sustainable Transport Strategy
Tasmanian State Elections are coming up soon in March. So we thought it’d be a good idea to invite all the candidates to offer a commitment to Hobart’s bicycle and pedestrian network development. We have sent them all an email and are now awaiting their responses before the 20th February 2010. Below is an excerpt from this letter:
“I write as a Tasmanian voter who uses a bicycle for transport almost every day of the year and to inform you of the recent developments led by the Hobart City Council in developing a ‘Sustainable Transport Strategy’ and ‘Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan’.
My main interest in the provision of supportive environments for walking and cycling for transport is the resultant public health outcomes from increased physical activity. The evidence is clear that the urban environment has a superior influence on community physical activity levels than any other measures. As the elections in March fast approach I would like some clarification as to your position on further developing a safe and supportive environment for cycling and walking for transport in the greater Hobart region.
In the past, my discussions with politicians and councillors have failed to be very constructive due to the fledgling policy development in cycling and walking promotion and lack of any kind of strategic or network plan. Now however, there are plans which clearly outline concrete funding opportunities to make Hobart and surrounding areas a region that truly supports cycling and walking for transport.
I ask you to please read through these plans and provide a dollar value commitment you would keep with regards to them if you were elected/relected.
I am writing to all election candidates and will relay your response to a group of around 250 bicycle users gathering at the end of February to call on political support for transport cycling and walking development in Tasmania.”
It appears Andrew Wilkie currently shows the most promise with regards to healthy transport developments thus far.
Hobart Rides January 2010
February 3, 2010
Riders swing onto Davey St
Hobart’s first monthly ride for 2010 was a quiet affair and the smallest ride in quite a while. It was also the least promoted and first back after a extended festive season so see it as a bit of a case study to compare the rest of the rides this coming year. January will be the control ride that proves that by simply leaving the ride as a leaderless (disorganised coincidence) the hundreds of people who usually come don’t get their usual reminders offered by some healthy promotion. We were however graced with the presence of Lord Mayor Rob Valentine who rode with us on his way to a meeting in Salamanca at 6.
Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine negotiates the traffic in style
Shade at Mawson Place (But no shelter)
February 3, 2010
The new shade devices at Mawson Place
Mawson Place is renowned for being as inhospitable as Antactica, the continent which the designers allegedly sought to re create. Fortunately however shade is now an option at the hottest time of the day thanks to an enormous metal frame and triangular shaped sheets. Midday sun is usually the least of Hobart’s weather problems to we are quite disappointed that more thought didn’t go in to providing shelter from the rain. It seems that there is now more bench seats available which definitely adds to the appeal of this prime real estate.
Nice seats to have a rest on
Improvements for Hobart’s Pedestrian Traffic
February 3, 2010
Feet making the most of new paint on the road
We’ve noticed a few little changes to Hobart’s streetscape which should make getting about by foot a little more pleasant. Newpaint on the Zebra Crossing on the bottom of Murray St for a major pedestrian hotspot and the foot path improvements on the corner of Maquarie and Murray St are looking very nice indeed. Not only is there space to pass people without stepping onto the road, but it is visually pleasing and incorporates natural seating and street furniture into the design. Top marks to the Hobart City Council for this improvement.
According to Jan Gehl and Co, the texture of a walking surface can impact significantly on the walking experience. Pavements are viewed as superior to the plane rough bitumen we see on most of our footpaths.
Nice and wide as well as a wall to sit on
Seating is a rare thing in Hobart so these will be appreciated
Hobart February Bike and Pedestrian Count Numbers
February 3, 2010
Morning and afternoon counts from 3 different locations are as follows: (SH rivulet track is missing – 4 locations recorded)
Campbell and Bathurst Intersection – 0730-0845
Bikes – 43 Pedestrians – 265
Marieville Esplanade and Sandy Bay Rd Intersection:
0650 – 0900 Bikes – 120 Pedestrians – 247
1550 – 1800 Bikes – 102 Pedestrians – 227
Davey St and Argyle St Intersection:
0700 – 0915 Bikes – 212 Pedestrians – 413
1600 – 1800 Bikes – 152 Pedestrians – 556
All feet are counted
Cycle Chic Hobart Episode #4
February 3, 2010
Spotted this lady recently riding through Hobart to her graduation dinner. We staged these two photos when no traffic was visible so her safety was not a concern especially so you could see her flowing hair without the restrictions of a helmet. While this may seem outrageous in Australia, in a lot of European countries no helmets is the norm for those going by cycle chic. We did wonder about how weird it was that while the risk of head injury is so high when driving a car only racing drivers have to wear helmets, while not only do racing cyclists need to wear helmets, but people riding at 10km an hour in their finest clothes do as well.
Check out: http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ and this Lady on the Mainland who has been fighting to keep her cycle chic intact.
The useless bike light button
Dear Hobart City Council and Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources,
The current bike signal on the corner of Evans St and Davey St is serving no useful purpose. It was brought to our attention recently by a bike rider who said he now ignores it because of the inconvenience it causes. The problems are as follows:
1: The light lasts for approx 3-4 seconds (it is not physically possible to ride across in this time)
2: Cars can still turn left off Davey St when it is green. The left turning cars need a red light when the bike and pedestrian light is green.
3. The bike light cycle only occurs once every approx 4 minutes meaning cylists have to wait even though there is no traffic turning. We recommend that providing the light is green on Davey St the cyclist light will turn green 10-15 seconds after being pressed.
4. As the main route out of Hobart for cyclists traveling to the eastern shore or northern suburbs improving this lights function is of very important for cyclist and pedestrian safety.
5. Rd Markings should be high visibility to improve motorist awareness of this cyclist and pedestrian hotspot.
6. Evans St speed limit should be 30km/hr to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety
Thankyou for your consideration
Liam Correy and Katie Kingshott
The light is on the south side of the junction of Davey and Evans St
If you wait at this light you will never get to cross
Always red for bikes
Inadequate rd markings to alert motorists of Hobart's main bike hwy
Bendigo Bank and Positive Bike Advertising
February 3, 2010
After reading this article by Mikael on Copenhagenize http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/10/positive-bicycle-advertising.html my eyes almost jumped out of their sockets when I walked into my bank on Murray St the otherday and found a stylish looking lass on a oldschool and also very stylish bike with the quote ‘ride in for a great rate today’, sure I’d expect this in Europe but in Australia, and down in Hobart. Amazing. I let the bank staff know how fantastic the ad was and that I infact rode in by bicycle today to get some money out.
Posted for the love of positive bike ads by Liam
New waterfront share space signed in Hobart
February 3, 2010
New signs have popped up at the entrances to the waterfront area from Elizabeth St and the junction of Morrison St and Franklin Wharf. They indicate that the area is shared space and the speed limit is 30km/hr. This is a fantastic new measure to improve cycling and walking on the waterfront.
Check out these links from one of the worlds leading cycling/fashion commentators:
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/10/copenhagenizes-christmas-wish-list-2009.html
http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/01/30-kmh-zones-work.html
Posted for the love of 30 km/hr speed limits by Liam
Winter Woolies
February 3, 2010
Some bike racks in Hobart have been dressed with some knitted sleeves in the last few days transforming them into the coolest place to park your bike on the waterfront. Their position is fairly impractical for most riders as we like to park right out the front of our destination but the idea of a woollen arch to rest our bikes on it pretty hard to resist. The old scarves have been replaced with new ones and they look spectactular. HTH will offer a super duper bike related prize to whoever put these spectacular urban space enhancers on display.
Posted for the love of winter woollies by Liam
Cars Dominate Salamanca
New Tasmanian State Architect, Peter Poulet, has been credited with having a new vision for Salamanca to increase its public appeal. Mr Poulet’s vision for Salamanca includes extending the footpath by two metres to give diners and pedestrians more room.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/01/26/123941_tasmania-news.html
In their book ‘Public Spaces, Public Life’, renowned urban planners Jan Gehl and Lars Gemzoe describe the changes that have occurred in Copenhagen following the introduction of car free streets. They write of how outdoor cafes were almost non existent before partial and complete carfree streets were introduced and how the chairs of outdoor dining make up over 75% of all seating available in the city.
Back in 1962, Jan and Lars describe how statements such as ‘We are Danes not Italians’ were all to common with the beginning of street improvements to favour pedestrians. Similar concerns are being voiced in Hobart as the moment with the all to common cry ‘leave Hobart the way it should be’ coming out on top. Traditionally 20-30 years ago in Copenhagen, traditional use of the city involved walking and window shopping.
Throughout the 1990’s however the city’s main usage patterns evolved to be much more recreational in nature with people not just moving through quickly but sticking around to enjoy the places and people. Outdoor café’s have had a role of great importance in this transition through provision of refreshments and a comfortable excuse to spend time in a nice place.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/01/13/121261_tasmania-news.html
Hobart Deputy Mayor, Helen Burnett has added her voice to the debate with concerns that foot path layout and sandwich boards are a reason for concern. We have responded to her requesting that instead of targeting business advertising and outdoor furniture we should focus on expanding footpaths and address the cause of the problem which is too little space.
A new voice in Hobart for improving public space ‘Pedestrian Power’ believes that we require a comprehensive plan for the city highlighting major hotspots, solutions and timelines reinforced by a an implementation budget. They recommend submissions to Hobart’s new sustainable transport strategy.
A motion by Alderman Helen Burnett to evaluate a shared zone for pedestrians cyclists and vehicles with a possible 30km/hr speed limit, introducing visual clues for motorists that they have to share the road, removing parking from the building side of Salamanca and creating one way traffic flow was unanimously supported by Aldermen. This has allegedly been led by Fiona Pete of Battery Point who want pedestrians to become the kings and queens of Salamanca.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/01/27/124131_tasmania-news.html
Wasted Space
Unfortunately the usual opposition to progressive planning with mega public health through encouraging active transport has been opposed by several business managers in the Salamanca area. This has evolved in the form of an all or nothing debate that stinks of misinformation and scare mongering. Hobartions seem to think that they are so different from the rest of the world that measures proven to bring more people to an area won’t work.
Below is a letter we had published in the Hobart mercury on 29/1/10:
We were considerably impressed by state architect, Peter Poulet’s vision for reducing speed limits and improving the pedeestrian experience in Hobarts CBD and Salamanca (Mercury, 27/12). The resultant increases in people walking and cycling around the waterfront will have significant health and community benefits.
Poulet’s strong stance on the need for a master plan with clear public benefit is admirable in the face of ignorantly trivial opposition. The article ‘Cars on outer at Salamanca’ (Mercury, 26/1) raises an important issue we as a community need to address. Do we follow Peter Poulet’s lead in supporting developments with clear public benefit, or do we bow to the shiny black shoes of business operators making opposition through a stance based on private benefit.
There is clear and decisive evidence that removing unnecessary car parks and expanding outdoor dining areas has improved the public attraction of thousands of city streets around the world through bringing in far more people on foot than the cars ever had.
If we truly are to care about public interest we do not need a road ride enough to fit 4 cars passing each other that is only given back to people on one day a week. We need an area that dedicates its prime real estate to public and business activity not the oil drips and rubber scars of hundreds of cars. Salamanca business people need to step back, take a deep breath and wake up to overwhelming urban planning evidence that proves that giving space back to people is not ‘ridiculous’ but the best business generator around.
We did a brief survey of car parking spots at Salamanca last Friday night 29/1 and counted a total of approx 700 car parks in very close proximity to the restaurant and café strip. Of the 700 spaces approx 200 were empty. Between Anna Purna Restaurant near the Silos and Irish Murphys pub there was 76 car parks. The move to remove car parking from the building side of Salamanca would therefore reduce car parking for the total area by only 15 %. Over 20% of the total parking area on Friday night was empty.
This carpark is 200 metres from Salamanca. Saturday night at 6.30pm 30/1 shows how short of parking we are
The sense we can see in this small reduction in car parking through design features favouring outdoor dining and pedestrian movement is that the Salamanca area will increase its people capacity significantly. The market fills on Saturday with the limited carparking arrangements to why wouldn’t it on any other day.
Despite massive pedestrian movements in this area there few basic traffic treatments to improve their safety
Posted for the love of outdoor dining by Liam
Active Transport Counting Tuesday 2nd February 2009
January 31, 2010
We officially invite all people in Hobart who are interested healthy, stylish and sensible transport options such as walking and cycling to help us continue to count the fantastic folk who choose to make part of their journey to work or around the city by foot or by pedal. We are assisting the Hobart City Council establish a baseline count for pedestrian and bicycle user movements in and out of the city by sitting down for 2 hours in the morning and afternoon to watch the fascinating life of the city go by as well as making active transportation count.
WHAT: Pedestrian and Cyclist Counting
WHEN: 0700-0900 and 1600-1800 (Meet at Mawson Place – Cnr of Davey and Argyle St at 0645 and 1545)
WHO: Healthy Transport Hobart members and other people interested in cycling and walking for transport
WHY: Current transport counting in Hobart ignores pedestrians and bikes and only counts cars
WHERE: All around Hobart
WHAT TO BRING: A bike or your feet, a warm jumper, your mobile or a time keeping device
WHAT ELSE: A Breakfast and Afternoon Tea Snack will be Provided
we offer the opportunity for you to sit on a seat like this and watch the world go by for a purpose
Posted for the love of statistics by Liam. C.
Photos by Jack Robert-Tissot of: jackroberttissot.com
