The Brisbane City Council is pushing forward with its program to install 40 km/hr safety zones at a number of suburban areas with shops and cafes. The Council is rolling out the measure as part of its plans to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

The first series of slow zones will include shopping precincts on Old Cleveland Road in Stones Corner and Oxley Road at Corinda. Lord Mayor Graham said that zones would be prioritized “where traffic-light crossings are not viable or where pedestrians are crossing the road dangerously, without pedestrian crossing.”

Cr Quirk said that there is evidence suggesting that just as in the city, incidents in the suburbs involving pedestrians were also due to distraction and impatience. He said safety issues occur on a number of locations in the suburbs where a large volume of people walk across street outside the pedestrian crossings.

Several new crossings in the CBD will also be introduced to encourage pedestrians to use the crossings instead of walking into the traffic.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner was not thrilled, however. He said that it seems to be just a quick, cheap, and inappropriate solution to a complex problem. RACQ have supported the lowering of speed limit to 40 km/hr on Ann Street in the CBD. However, they need to see a “hard evidence” that will support the idea behind the slashed speed limit around shopping and dining precincts before they can support the move.

Mr Turner criticized the lack of consultation on the Council’s part before implementing the changes. They have issues with 40 km/hr zones, he said, especially the heavily congested roads like Old Cleveland Road. He said that the council needs to do more than just putting up a few signs if its serious about pedestrian and cyclist safety.

In their effort to improve safety for those walking and cycling in Brisbane, the Council conducted the Move Safe Brisbane consultation last August. The consultation involved feedback maps on which road users identify locations in Brisbane which they think could be improved for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The survey closed last 28 August and is now being reviewed and evaluated by the Council. A final report is due by late 2018.

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