City limits boost health and business
A slower CBD makes inroads into ill health and lures investment, says Graeme Lynch
OPPONENTS of reduced CBD speed limits often presume that the rationale lies solely in safety considerations for pedestrians and cyclists — to the detriment of drivers. But that is only part of the story.
There’s a health and wellbeing element to the debate that’s just as important, and far wider in reach.
Physical activity can reduce your risk of heart disease (Australia’s biggest killer) by as much as 35 per cent, and the risk of other chronic conditions such as diabetes and some cancers.
Physical activity is firmly in the national spotlight. Owing to COVID-19, we are seeing a surge of people walking, cycling and running. As one of the five permitted activities during COVID-19 restrictions, exercise is helping Australians to stay healthy. Providing safe spaces for walking and cycling is key to encouraging people to be more active more often.
The Heart Foundation’s position is summed up in our recent snapshot, Active Streets — the new normal for public space. In it we outline our case for better streets for people, calling for extra street and footpath space to support social distancing and — yes — reduced vehicle speeds, not just in the CBD but in neighbourhood streets too.
Cities around Australia and the world are embracing lower limits. In Melbourne, Yarra City Council recommended reducing the speed limit to 30km/h in parts of Fitzroy and Collingwood after a year-long trial. In WA, Fremantle is applying to extend its existing 30km/h in the famous cappuccino strip to the entire central business district which, in the words of their mayor, “will make it an even better place to explore and enjoy”.
Auckland in New Zealand has recently introduced 30km/ h limits widely throughout the city.
Furthermore, evidence is emerging of the general economic significance of cycling and walking to towns and cities. The city becomes more attractive to investment. A 10km/h reduction has been shown in some areas to increase the value of nearby homes by up to 20 per cent.
More evidence from Victoria suggests that investing in walking infrastructure can provide a higher economic return than other transport projects such as rail and road. Data from 20 different studies suggested the benefit to cost ratio of walking interventions is 13:1 — $13 of benefit for every $1 spent.
From a mental health perspective, walkability and quality of life go hand-inhand. Where people walk, they stay, they socialise, they open their wallets and they feel safe and connected.
It’s a concept we’ve come to know as sticky streets.
I was privileged to speak to the Hobart City Council’s City Infrastructure Committee in support of a submission to the Transport Commissioner recommending speed limit changes in Hobart’s CBD and suburban retail precincts.
The committee voted 4 to 1 to recommend to the whole of council that they support the submission, with the first step to engage key stakeholders.
I urge our Hobart City councillors to approve the recommendations to reduce speed limits on key streets in the CBD and suburban retail precincts. It will be the first of many positive steps that will create a more people-friendly, safer and healthier city.