BY BELLA MIDDLETON
The CycleSafe Network, a Hunter based organisation, have thrown their support behind the United Nations call for 30km/h speed limits in local streets.
The network says the proposed low speed limit would be especially important in areas such as Darby Street and Beaumont Street, which are rife with shops, pedestrians, schools, and residential areas.
In 2020, Transport NSW introduced a 30km/h trial around the Honeysuckle and Newcastle foreshore.
"The Honeysuckle 30km/h zone was an excellent step in the right direction," said CycleSafe Network Spokeswoman Deborah Moore.
"Honeysuckle appears to be designed for high speeds - it’s wide, straight and subsequently fast. To reduce the speeds at which people actually drive, it’s not as simple as reducing speed limits. We also need to re-design streets for lower speeds," Ms Moore said.
Traffic injury is the biggest killer of Australian children under 15, with research showing that a child hit by a car at 30km/h has a higher chance of survival than a car going 40km/h.
Newcastle Cycleways spokesperson and UON health researcher Matthew McLaughlin will greatly benefit Novocastrians and save lives.
“There are a lot of myths about 30km/h zones. They’re sometimes seen as anti motorist. In fact, low speed streets help cut congestion and don’t significantly increase journey times.
"Low speeds save lives and people consistently say they want lower speeds where they live," Mr McLaughlin said.
