It's time to make sure everyone is safe in our community.
The Greens are asking the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics for a review of the safety conditions for pedestrians on Bagot Road, particularly around the bus stops in the Ludmilla area and Ludmilla Primary School.
We need to listen to the community and build better pedestrian infrastructure around bus stops, improve lighting, and review speed limits on Bagot Road.
Join our campaign to improve the safety and experience of pedestrians and cyclists on Bagot Road.
DETAILS
Pedestrian deaths and incidents
There have been a number of tragic pedestrian deaths on this road, and those living in the area witness or hear near misses all too often. We know that there are many pedestrians around this area at all times of the day and night and we need to ensure that they are safe.
Bus stop infrastructure
The bus stops on Bagot Road in Ludmilla do not have sufficient pedestrian infrastructure to ensure that people can catch the bus safely or conveniently. As an example, the RAAF bus stop on the golf course side of the road is only accessible by pedestrians from Ludmilla crossing 6 lanes of traffic entirely unprotected, or by detouring several hundred metres to use the overpass. Either way, this is a significant safety concern, or a significant impediment to effective use of public transport for local residents.
Cyclists
For cyclists travelling down Bagot Road, the only safe option is to ride down the footpath, which is uneven and often leads to dodging cars entering or exiting homes along Bagot Road. This is not safe nor does it lead to a pleasant riding experience. As a city we should be encouraging healthy lifestyles and minimising car use where possible to avoid congested traffic.
SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGE
As a community, we can reduce risk to pedestrians with some preventative and protective measures. We are calling for a review of the safety conditions on Bagot Road. Some of the suggestions from the community that we would like to be taken into consideration are:
- Better pedestrian infrastructure and crossings around bus stops including safety islands with barriers for median strips and traffic lights
- Better lighting around Bagot Road to ensure the safety of pedestrians who are walking at night
- Better separation of pedestrians and cars, like adding overpasses
- Cycling path similar to the path on Dick Ward Drive with physical barriers between bikes and traffic
- Slower speed limits for Bagot Road or reduced speed zones, particularly around the Ludmilla/Bagot Community area and bus stops
EXAMPLES ELSEWHERE
These are two campaigns to reduce speed and speed limits in other parts of Australia. These campaigns include research revealing that a reduction of 5km in average travel speed would urban crashes by about 25%, and the minimal effects reduced speed has on travel time for 10km journeys:
Also take a look at this media release by Transport for NSW from 29 November 2023, which announces the reduction of the speed limit on the Great Western Highway. It references a road safety audit and communituy consultation which prompted a speed zone review.
The outcome of this review was a 10km/h reduction in speed limit to improve safety. Transport for NSW states that a reduction in speed limit is an effective safety measure to minimise harm.