Published in The West Australian 1.9.2010
The Editor
The West Australian
GPO Box D162, Perth WA 6840
Re: Perth Roads and Traffic.
Whilst we look in awe at the prospect of millions of cars on Perth Roads, and ever increasing traffic congestion, we are unable or unwilling to make the switch to active transport. All car drivers are aware of a substantial drop in commuting times during school holidays. About 18% of morning rush hour traffic between 8 AM and 9 AM is generated by parents dropping their kids off at school. In many cases the children would be happy to walk or cycle to school, but the parents don’t have the time to accompany them – they rather spend the time sitting in traffic moving like molasses.
We need to move about 18% of people from the roads to other means of transport, including cycling, which is the cheapest option to commute into the CBD. A fit cyclist travels from Joondalup to the CBD in an hour, door to door, and does not have to worry about parking. Instead of wasting $2.1billion in lost time and smog related health problems, we would be better off to complete the Perth Bike Network, integrate active and public transport and provide more trains and buses. The Perth Parking Levy fund has about $17million crying out to be spent on more CAT buses and better facilities for people on foot or on bicycles accessing the CBD.
Heinrich Benz, Bicycle Transportation Alliance, 2, Delhi Street, West Perth WA 6005
Promoting everyday cycling three days a week (or more...)
Dear Heinrich
A well written letter. Short and sharp. Congrats on getting it published. Hopefully it gets people thinking.
Regards
Andrew
Hi, agree totally.. get the kids back on bikes by providing a safe riding environment and complete the Perth Bike Network.. we rode everywhere on our bikes when we were younger, mind you we had less traffic to compete with.. PS. I am new to the cycling scene.. who do I start lobbying? :-) I work for Telstra in town.. we had a fairly good turn out for the Ride to Work on Wed.. the bike storage at work was full with bikes with the extra riders.. now the weather is nice I will be alternate riding in from and home to Gosnells. Great run now with PSP completed from Gosnells to Welshpool Rd, but I hardly see a soul out my way on the PSP, mind u I am early starter, leave home about 05:30
Lobby local government for safe, low speed roads connected to schools and shops. Lobby the State Government (Simon O’Brien, Minister for Transport) to fund and support the completion of the Perth Bike Network, and to put Parking Levy Funds towards seperating cyclist and pedestrians where warranted by volumes. Lobby the City of Perth for the “last mile” :-) connections in the CBD.
Become a member of the BTA to support a general active support to replace commuting by car with safe cycling or Public Transport where possible.