[sustran] Re: alt-transp GNGM newsletter #2

[SUSTRAN Resource Centre]

At 18:31 9/06/99 +0200, Eric Britton responded to an item on alt-transp
from Michael Yeates.
 
The original item is also worth sharing here on sustran-discuss, see below.
I have also emailed Michael to ask for more information about this Global
Network for Gentle Mobility. 

Paul.


Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 18:33:44 +1000 (GMT+1000)
    From: Michael Yeates <m.yeates at mailbox.uq.edu.au>
    ....
    Subject: GNGM newsletter #2
     
    
    This is a brief summary of issues in the next newsletter which I can fax
    but not put into electronic form. 
    
    1. There are three major trends (1) extending low speed areas by traffic
    calming (very expensive), (2) reducing speed limits in larger local areas
    (problematic unless in very large areas) and (3) lowering the "default"
    speed limit over whole cities and regions, the default limit being the
    "normal" speed limit in the absense of speed signs. Here are examples.
    
    Switzerland: a successful petition (130000 signatures - only needed
    100000) to commence a referendum process to implement 30km/h as urban
    "default" limit. The referendum should be held in 3-4 years.
    
    Scotland: a series of extended trials of large areas of 20mph (30km/h)
    
    UK: major government (DETR) review of "speed policy" AND increased
    community pressure on police to include dangerous driving and speeding
    enforcement as a major priority (CTC News) AND "The Slower Speeds
    Initiative" (both urban and rural roads)
    
    Sweden: "Vision Zero" ... aims to kill nobody!
    
    Graz, Austria: 30km/h default speed limit for the whole city (the
    first inthe world) with 50km/h on the main roads.
    
    Unley, Adelaide, South Australia: 40km/h without traffic calming on
    all roads except where 60km/h on main roads with (very importantly) a
    long term trial of the effects of different frequency of police
    enforcement (a world first perhaps?) backed by strong local community
    support (about 70-80% support) with 60km/h on main roads [note that the
    default speed limit in Australia is 60km/h on all streets and roads except
    where signed otherwise!]
    
    South East Queensland 50km/h in Local streets: This is where I live
    however while reducing the default from 60 to 50 [over a region with some
    2 million people and covering about 200km x 100km] is a good thing, at the
    same time the government is insisting local authorities INCREASE the speed
    limit on existing 40km/h streets without traffic calming to 50 to be
    consistant and credible for motorists! Residents, cyclists, pedestrians
    don't count apparently even in areas where local authorities previously
    decided a reduced speed zone was appropriate!
    
    Comments:
    
    The increasing evidence of the need to increase police enforcement and
    support it with strong community support at the local level suggests that
    the "engineering" view of traffic calming being essential is both out of
    date and too expensive. In the absense of committed enforcement, of course
    lower speed zones won't work! Unley is therefore a very useful case study
    of the effect of policing+community support+educational and
    promotional campaigns given the 60km/h "normal" urban speed limit in
    Australia.
    
    "Speed control and transport policy" by Stephen Plowden and Mayer Hillman
    (Policy Studies Institute, London) is an excellent reference on both urban
    and non-urban speed issues.
    
    I will fax copies of the "Newsletter" only to those who I cannot contact
    by email however if you would like a copy, let me know.Iit is very brief
    and includes some repetition including our meeting in Graz and the
    background to GNGM and the name "gentle mobility" and its relationship
to Graz.
    
    There might be an opportunity to include a stream on "gentle mobility" at
    Velo-Mondiale in 2000 or if not, a side stream. What do you think?
    
    Please feel free to provide very brief news items, updates, contacts etc
    to m.yeates at mailbox.uq.edu and to pass on this version to others however,
    I can really only manage a limited mailing address at this stage.
    
    My biggest shock after cycling in Graz just for the 7-8 days was returning
    to our 60km/h (38mph) traffic ...! I just did not realise how easy it is
    to forget bad habits, enjoy urban cycling in (reasonable "gentle"
traffic) 
    and then relearn them again on returning! 
    
    Michael Yeates