Earlier this year 74 people met to share insights on the safety challenges facing people walking, cycling and riding in Victoria.
Although safety outcomes for people cycling have improved, overall the climate for "vulnerable" road users has not, with pedestrians and motorcyclists facing greater risk.
The forum, undertaken for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, brought together participants from government, local councils, advocacy organisations, industry, academia and community groups to explore key safety issues affecting people walking, cycling and riding across Victoria.
The key issues identified included:
- Road networks and infrastructure prioritise vehicles over vulnerable road users.
- Unsafe crossings and driver behaviour increase safety risks for pedestrians.
- Fragmented networks increase safety risks for cyclists.
- Road design and low driver awareness increase risks for motorcyclists.
- Inconsistent infrastructure reduces safety and confidence for all vulnerable road users.
Among the solutions considered were:
- Implementing "safe systems" design so streets work for all users, not just motor vehicle drivers.
- Lower speeds in areas with people waking and cycling.
- Complete networks of protected bike lanes and safe routes.
- Increase targeted enforcement and use of technology to address speeding, illegal vehicles and other behaviours that place vulnerable road users at risk.
- Strengthen enforcement and regulation of illegal devices, while increasing public education on legal use and safety requirements.
- Improve infrastructure design and maintenance, including road surfaces, barriers and intersection layouts that affect motorcycle safety.
- Encourage positive driving culture through behaviour change initiatives, education programs and campaigns that reinforce courteous and respectful road use.