The ACT Active Travel Office is encouraging motorists driving through Canberra’s suburbs to slow down in the interest of safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Minister for Roads and Active Travel, Chris Steel said active travel had increased during the pandemic and there was a risk road traffic would increase as more Canberrans returned to work and socially distanced themselves in private vehicles.
“There has been a boom in active travel during the pandemic with families out walking and cycling in their local neighbourhood for exercise and to get to the shops and work,” Mr Steel said.
“Slower streets is a community initiative that encourages motorists to slow down and be mindful that there are more people out and about in the neighbourhood walking and cycling,” he said.
“This is not an enforceable requirement.”
Mr Steel said the initiative was a request that drivers be on the look-out for their neighbours who were walking and cycling.
He said the Active Travel Office was working with walking and cycling groups, community councils and residents’ associations across the city who wished to take part in the initiative.
“We would like to sustain the increase we have seen in walking and cycling beyond the pandemic, and at an appropriate time welcome commuters back on to public transport,” he said.
Further information on the slower streets initiative, including how to participate, can be accessed at this PS News link.
