The Corona Virus has changed everything. It has thrown all our chips up in the air and what we do when they are coming back down is going to define our future – for better or worse. If we are smart about it, our quality of life could be more gentle, healthier and more earth- and human-centred.
The humble bicycle is the perfect human transport machine for these qualities of life and should be part of it.
Social distancing rules might get relaxed, but realistically travel restrictions will be in place for some time to come. The time is now to get the Shire ready for a new normal, where residents, visitors and businesses can share our special place amicably.
One crucial piece of what makes up our community’s well-being is how we share our road space. The benefits of active transport are clear in terms of health-outcomes, environmental and now even in economic terms. Bike sales have gone through the roof since COVID-19. Life has become more local and slower. Now is the time to make active transport everybody’s number one choice for getting around.
After years of inaction, we need to get on top of the infrastructure we need to move people around efficiently. Now, with less cars on the road, we can trial different things without spending too much money. Other places have cottoned on to this too.
“Tactical Urbanism” in a COVID-19 world
“Tactical Urbanism” is the buzz in many communities around the COVID-19 world – from Berlin to Bogota. The idea is to take road space from cars overnight and give it to pedestrians and cyclists to keep key workers moving—safely—during lockdown.
New Zealand provided funding to make tactical urbanism official government policy during the coronavirus pandemic. Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has a background as an urban planner and with that comes a good understanding of why the country has such a high level of car dependence. She has taken the opportunity to show how things can be done better with gusto, introducing pop-up bike lanes and widened sidewalks during lockdown.
In Paris 650 km of cycleways were rolled out – including some pop up “Corona Cycleways” to allow residents to follow recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to consider riding or walking whenever feasible. The WHO states that cycling and walking are useful for both social distancing and meeting the minimum requirements for daily physical activity.
Noosa and surrounds – strike while the iron is hot
Right now there seems to be support from all levels of government to mobilise a green army to build the networks we need to enable sustainable living.
This week the Federal Government announced stimulus funding for shovel ready projects that favour active transport infrastructure such as bike lanes and trails. The program aims to pump funding into local government over the next six months to keep employment alive.
At a State level we are fortunate to have forward thinking Sandy Bolton who has proven to get things done and will no doubt be supportive and willing to connect the levels of government and departments.
And then of course on the local government level we have our new look team who can bring fresh new ideas to the table. They have the support of the LGAQ which announced a $608 million Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities to stimulate regional economies by creating jobs to roll out capital works programs.
At the moment Noosa residents are forced to drive everywhere because too much is spent in favour of cars – roads and parking take preference over shared pedestrian lanes. We have no footpaths in most of our suburbs and cars parked on both sides of the street, leaving no safe access for students to ride to school or workers to commute to work.
We now have an opportunity to imagine a different future. Let’s make sure our elected representatives can see that vision too!
