Streets and People

Tim Gill, an independent expert on child-friendly planning and author of "Urban Playground," explores the alarming decline in children's freedom to roam outdoors. He highlights how our car-centric cities limit children's opportunities for play and growth. The discussion covers the importance of safe spaces like Play Streets and School Streets that foster community and allow kids to learn independence. Gill emphasizes that balancing safety with freedom is crucial for developing resilience and confidence in children, while also urging a return to outdoor culture.

In this Not Everyone Drives episode of The Streets and People podcast, Wendy chats with Becky from Oxfordshire UK about the transition from 50kph to 30kph (30mph to 20mph) speed limits in villages and residential streets. They explore the effects on commuting, driving comfort and local congestion. The discussion also touches on the environmental benefits of slower speeds, challenges of rural driving and the lack of cycling infrastructure. Becky describes mixed reactions to the changes. The dialogue underscores the tranquility and increased awareness from lower speed limits and how lower speed limits affect driving behaviours, commute times and safety while also touching on the environmental benefits and urban planning considerations. Additionally, the conversation explores public opinions on speed limit changes, emphasising the need for improved cycling infrastructure and public transport to foster safer and more child-friendly streets. For more about the transition from 50kph to 30kph, check out our conversation with Rod King at 20s Plenty. https://open.spotify.com/episode/46CrXPURfYxqG0KgrbwpJk?si=507c99f60c794386 www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

In this conversation with Professor Ian Walker, a psychology expert on transport, listeners dive into the concept of 'motonormativity'—the societal bias that prioritizes motoring. Ian reveals how car dependence mirrors addiction, and discusses the need for cultural shifts to embrace diverse transport options. He critiques current infrastructure that favors cars and highlights the systemic change required for public health and sustainability. Ultimately, he calls for collective action to challenge norms and rethink urban mobility for a more inclusive future.

This People & Projects episode on the Streets and People podcast with Wendy Nash and Richard Buning focuses on the role of micromobility solutions particularly e-scooters and e-bikes in urban tourism. Richard, a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and lead of the UQ Micromobility Research Cluster, discusses the benefits of these technologies in expanding tourist mobility, reducing reliance on cars and enhancing the tourist experience. They explore the perception and reality of using e-scooters, considering safety, convenience and environmental impact. The conversation highlights the potential for micromobility to contribute to local economies by encouraging broader spending and highlights ongoing challenges, such as infrastructure and regulation to better integrate these solutions into urban landscapes. Richard's profile and the Cluster website: https://business.uq.edu.au/profile/1340/richard-buning https://business.uq.edu.au/research/research-areas/tourism/micromobility-research-cluster Richard referred to a study with Brisbane City Council and the results can be found here. https://business.uq.edu.au/article/2023/09/brisbanes-e-scooters-and-e-bikes-winning-over-tourists-and-residents https://getaroundcabocarfree.com.au

In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy interviews Pete Finn of Scootmasters. They discuss Pete's journey from being frustrated with high fuel costs to founding Scootmasters, a group dedicated to the legalisation and safety of electric scooters. Despite safety challenges, like fatalities due to misuse of scooters, Pete emphasises the importance of education and infrastructure. With nearly 5,000 members, Scootmasters has been pivotal in advocating for legal riding on footpaths and bike paths, endorsing safety gear, and promoting sensible speed limits. Pete also discusses the complexities of integrating e-scooters with other modes of transport. The conversation highlights the financial benefits and the need for political will to make transformative changes in urban transport. https://scootmasters.com.au/index.html https://scootmasters.com.au/scoot-reviews.html https://www.facebook.com/groups/scootmasters Community groups www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

Join Professor Graham Currie, a leading public transport expert from Australia, as he tackles the pressing issue of transport poverty. He uncovers the disparities in transport access between Australia and the UK, focusing on the struggles faced by low-income individuals. The conversation dives into the challenges of suburban sprawl and the impact of car dependency, particularly with the surge of SUVs. Currie also offers innovative solutions like mobility hubs to enhance urban livability and calls for integrated planning to improve transportation access for all.

In this Not Everyone Drives episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy chats with Antoine Burdett about his experiences with e-scooters and his involvement in the Scootmasters community. Antoine discusses how he first discovered e-scooters in 2018, his transition from personal pleasure riding to community volunteering, and the growth of the Scootmasters group to nearly 5,000 members. The conversation covers various aspects of e-scooter use, including infrastructure challenges, safety concerns, and the potential for e-scooters as a complement to traditional transportation. Antoine emphasises the importance of thoughtful urban planning, education, and considerate use of e-scooters to foster a more accepting and safer environment for all users. https://scootmasters.com.au/index.html https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/fines/personal-mobility-device-riding-rules-and-fines www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

This People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast builds on our conversation with Conrad Kickert about hybrid zones and fostering a sense of place https://getaroundcabocarfree.com.au/s1e45-pp-conrad-kickert-on-how-front-yards-make-or-break-community-cohesion-and-connectedness. Wendy chats with Chris Bingham from Friends of Lagoon Creek about how gardening can strengthen community ties and help reduce social isolation. Chris shares his personal journey in gardening and conservation, offering practical advice for creating vibrant, diverse gardens using both native and non-native plants. They discuss how to design gardens that are more welcoming and accessible, particularly for people with disabilities, and highlight the importance of being active within the community. Chris offers suggestions for affordable, sensory-friendly plants, and explains the key role of soil quality and mulching. The episode wraps up with encouragement to join local community groups and make personal spaces more inclusive. Visit Friends of Lagoon Creek at www.FriendsOfLagoonCreek.com where you can buy high-quality, well-cared-for native plants. For more, visit www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au.

In this Road Rules 360 episode of the Streets and People podcast, host Wendy Nash and retired road rules expert John Burrill navigate the complexities of parking trailers, tiny homes, and mobility devices on public roads. They break down the intricacies of registering and parking box trailers in suburban Queensland, discuss the implications of using these trailers as mobile gardens or bike lockers, and explore the legalities of parking mobility scooters, bicycles, and potentially tiny homes. They also highlight the broader social implications of utilising street spaces for non-vehicular purposes, emphasising the importance of considering neighbourhood aesthetics and road legalities. The episode aims to clarify misconceptions and provide practical advice to ensure compliance and harmony within community spaces. Video referred to during the episode: Carspiracy - You’ll Never See The World The Same Way Again https://youtu.be/-_4GZnGl55c?si=ebTB2mS8AvS1dWcY

In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, A/Prof Conrad Kickert at the University of Buffalo, New York, shares insights into the social significance of front yards in urban environments. Drawing on his research in Buffalo and observations from cities around the world, Conrad explains how front yards act as a crucial 'hybrid zone' that fosters social interactions and a sense of place. The conversation explores the impact of physical elements like seating, vegetation, and decorations, illustrating how these features contribute to community connectivity and personal ownership. They also discuss the challenges and broader implications of urban design in promoting social resilience amid modern trends of car dependency and isolated living. Street-Level Architure: The past, present and future of interactive frontages https://www.routledge.com/Street-Level-Architecture-The-Past-Present-and-Future-of-Interactive-Frontages/Kickert-Karssenberg/p/book/9780367486105? Do The Right Thing directed by Spike Lee available at https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/do-the-right-thing Conrad Kickert, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, Director of Programs, Rudy Bruner Center for Urban Excellence, www.conradkickert.com