Wednesday, 27th, March 2019

A new alliance forms to advocate for safer speeds and healthy streets

A broad alliance of long-standing advocacy groups has come together under the name Healthy Streets Alliance Auckland, to support a proposed bylaw allowing Auckland Transport to set safer speeds.

‘We came together to amplify our voices, because we believe Aucklanders deserve safer and healthier streets,’ said spokesperson Ellie Craft. ‘In 2017, 64 people died and 749 were seriously injured on the Auckland road network, and road deaths leapt 78% from 2014-2017. Our streets have become more dangerous, especially for those outside vehicles. But these deaths and injuries are not inevitable.’

‘We believe streets can be reclaimed as actively healthy spaces that encourage healthier travel options, like walking, cycling, and taking public transport. Healthier streets are more equitable and more sustainable. And turning this situation around begins with setting safer speeds.’

The alliance is made up of citizens’ advocacy groups and non-profit charities, including NZ School Speeds, Brake the road safety charity, Doctors for Active Sustainable Transport, Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa (NZ), Greater Auckland, Generation Zero, Urban Auckland, Incorporated Society for Alternative Housing Developments, Bike Auckland, Cycling Action Network, Grey Lynn 2030, Living Streets Aotearoa, Women in Urbanism Aotearoa, Urban Design Forum, Sky Path, the Auckland City Centre Residents Group, and Transition Towns Point Chevalier.

The breadth of the alliance reflects a widespread understanding that redesigning streets to encourage healthier travel options is a highly effective way to nurture healthier, more sustainable communities. Other groups who share a vision for healthier streets are warmly welcomed to join the alliance.

‘The evidence is in,’ says Craft. ‘Safer speeds lower the death and serious injury rate, by reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes. A local example is Queen Street, in Auckland, where deaths and serious injuries dropped by 36% after the speed limit was lowered from 50km/h to 30km/h in 2008.’

‘Safer streets are more accessible and welcoming for people of all ages, incomes, and physical abilities, especially those who can’t drive or choose not to,’ says Craft. ‘Survivable speeds will help bring neighbourhoods back to life by allowing more people to walk and cycle, providing easy ways to fit physical activity into the day, and restoring healthy, independent travel options for children.’

The Healthy Streets Alliance Auckland strongly encourages the public to support Auckland Transport’s speed management bylaw, which is open for consultation until 31 March 2019.

For more information, visit the website: https://www.healthystreetsnz.com/campaign-safer-speeds

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