Transport for All

Transport for All, a pan-impairmentĀ organisation, has published a report examining the impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) on people with disabilities.

Image credit: Transport for All

At Transport for All, we fully support the fight for climate justice and the importance of introducing environmental initiatives that promote Active Travel such as walking and cycling. This is particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, when additional space is needed for safe transit. We recommend a series of immediate measures and long-term solutions to address the many barriers that disabled people face to Active Travel; encourage walking, wheeling and cycling; and create an accessible public transport system as a viable alternative to car use.

Transport for All – Pave the Way
Image credit: Transport for All

While the whole report is worth reading, of note are recommendations and solutions, including:

  • Accessibility upgrades to pavements, cycle lanes and roads – as part of any and all streetspace initiatives – as a matter of urgency, and as a priority for all streets. These include: dropped kerbs, flattened and tarmacked pavements, tactile signage.
  • Investment in wider accessibility upgrades to the public realm, so that public transport is an accessible and viable alternative to car-use. These include: a commitment to level boarding for all trains, improvements to signage across all networks, two wheelchair accessible spaces on buses.

Our view

Streets Alive Yarra supports the research methodology, as well as the summary and recommendations. We believe that the report’s recommendations align with our proposals for wider, smoother, less-obstructed footpaths; level access public transport stops; wider, protected bicycle lanes; 30 km/h; and more trees, shade and places to rest.

We urge governments in Australia to invest in meaningful engagement with the community, particularly people with disabilities, so that trials of traffic calming are understood and are undertaken in the best manner that they can be.


Published 28th January 2021.