Carys Thomas, Sustrans Cymru

Safer Streets for All

Our work

Sustrans Cymru is working with communities,

schools, workplaces and policy makers to

promote walking, cycling and public transport as

realistic alternatives to the car for everyday

journeys.

Our Ambition

4 out of 5 of our local journeys are made on foot, bike or public transport by 2020

Contents

•Safer Streets UK Campaign

•20mph zones

•Our Submission on Safer Routes to School

•Community Street Design (Place-Making)

•Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013

•Holistic Approach

Safer Streets UK Campaign

We believe that every child has the right to walk, cycle or scoot to school

•Dedicated funding – provides the resources needed to transform routes and invest in walking and cycling at the local level

•20mph default speed limit across built up areas – makes everyone’s route safer

•Stronger duties and incentives on local authorities to develop routes and promote walking and cycling

Public Support for 20mph limits

72% in favour of 20mph speed limits on residential streets British Social Attitudes Survey, 2012

60% of Welsh voters would support politicians campaigning for 20mph limits in residential areasYouGov Poll, March 2013

Our Submission to the Safer Routes to School Consultation, Feb 2014We asked children in Wales what they thought:

•They enjoy walking to school with their friends – and would prefer to do this than go in the car with their parents

•Real concerns about speed of traffic, poor pavements and badly parked cars.

•They want more crossing patrol staff (lollipop ladies) alongside slowing traffic and stopping cars parking on pavements.

(193 children from Bike It schools)

Children told us….

“there should be less spaces for cars to parkbecause when cars zoom in to a parking spaceright next to me I get a bit scared”

“I find it fun and it wakes me up ready to go toSchool in the morning. It is exercising.”

72% of children told us they would feel safer if

the speed limit on their route to school was20mph

What makes a safe route for a child?

• the age, confidence and skills of the child• whether the child is cycling or walking• the type, speed and volume of other traffic• the facilities available for walking and cycling• conditions when the route is used (both daily and

seasonal)• whether the child is alone or accompanied• levels of usage and surveillance of the route.

Community Street Design

Case-study: Bristol

“Dad used to bring me in the car to school because it was not safe. I now come with Mum either walking or on my bike” Sam, (pupil)

Case-study: Bristol

• Ashton Gate School in Bristol situated on a busy cut-through

• Barrier to walking, cycling or scooting to school

• School is on two-site location, with regular crossing of road

• Sustrans ran a series of workshops and street activities with the school community, generating design proposals that were innovative, low-cost but importantly effective

• Drivers now more aware of school community, safer environment to play

• School community taken on maintenance and ownership of the planters.

Funded by Bristol City Council: less than £10,000

Streets are for people

Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013• 2014 Map current routes (2015)

Produce plan to guide delivery (2017)

• Consultation Duty on councils to consult; they have to ask people their views of current and future mapping of cycling and walking routes

• Behaviour change Duty on Welsh Ministers and Local Authorities (LAs) to promote active travel

• Reports Annual Reporting; from LAs to Ministers to Welsh Assembly

How can we get the most out of the Active Travel Act?Holistic approach is required, including:

•training in road safety skills for cyclists and pedestrians

•driver training

•initiatives such as walking buses, incentives and promotional activities

•curriculum work

•highway improvements

•provision of facilities such as cycle parking and waiting shelters.

Sustrans Bike It project

• We work with seven authorities across Wales as part of our Bike It programme, funded by the Welsh Government

• Cycle skills, national cycle standards, led-rides

• Resources linking to literacy and numeracy framework

• Involving children in auditing school environment

• Scooting – important approach to active travel

Making Safer Streets for All

“Hard” measures “Soft” measuresTraffic Calming School Travel PlanLower speed limits (20mph) Pedestrian, cycle trainingZebra, puffin, pelican or toucan crossings Bike maintenance sessions

Speed cushions Walking buses or cycle trains

Alterations to the school entrance Classroom activities

Paths exclusively for cyclists & pedestrians

Community involvement

Central refuges Individual route planningCrossing patrolsSecure cycle parking

Cycle awareness training for drivers

Parking restrictions  

Carys Thomas, Deputy Director

carys.thomas@sustrans.org.uk