Over 300 people attended an inspiring evening where Lee Waters MS, shared his journey implementing revolutionary road funding reforms, national 30km/h speed limits, and better walking and riding infrastructure across Wales.
The event also featured an honest and refreshing fireside chat between Rob Stokes, Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO and Lee Waters MS sharing their better streets experiences focussing on the role of advocates to help advance the cause.
Lee explained “motor normativity” a powerful entrenched community attitude towards cars and car travel. Lee shared how even he didn’t like the new lower speed limit in the beginning but he got used to it.
Lee’s message was simple – sure, people don’t like change, but they will get used to it, and its worth the effort because there are enormous climate, road trauma and health benefits.
Sharing his experiences implementing policy, Lee focussed on the:
- Welsh Road task force – a new way of evaluating current and future road investments against climate, access, safety and mode shift
- Welsh Active Travel Act – to support mode shift to sustainable transport including identification and construction of walking and cycling infrastructure
- 30km/h default urban speed limits implemented using just signs and an education campaign. Results in Wales from the new default speed limits after just 6 months are already showing a 25% reduction in serious injury crashes.
The fireside chat chaired by Jennifer Kent included funny and poignant stories and reflection, from politicians from three different sides of politics who all share the same vision road transport – “Streets for people – climate action and heathy, cohesive communities.”
TAKE ACTION
You can help by:
- Send a message to local government Councillors running in the 14 September 2024 elections by clicking here
- Joining and support a streets for people advocacy group – Bicycle NSW, BetterStreets, Walk Sydney and 30Please
- Speaking to your family, friends, school P&C, local sporting club about why reducing speeds on streets matters
The event was a collaboration with the City of Sydney BetterStreets, Walk Sydney and Henry Halloran Research Trust, 30Please and AITPM.