Geelong 'worst' for pedestrians and cyclists

From the Age, not sure if it's been commented on here already.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...982033356.html

Geelong 'worst' for pedestrians and cyclists

Pedestrians are more at risk of a close call with a car in Victoria's
regional city of Geelong than in any other part of the state, a new
survey shows.

The survey by car insurer AAMI found drivers in Geelong, south-west of
Melbourne, had the worst record for "close calls" with pedestrians and
cyclists.

More than one third (35 per cent) of drivers there reported they had
almost hit a pedestrian or cyclist, compared with 30 per cent in
Melbourne and 22 per cent in other regional areas.

AAMI public affairs manager Geoff Hughes said the results were
"unsettling" for all road users.

But he said pedestrians were contributing towards the close calls, with
29 per cent saying they have compromised their own safety by talking on
a mobile phone or listening to music on headphones while crossing the road.

Melbourne pedestrians were the worst for this, with 31 per cent
reporting the habit compared with 21 per cent in regional Victoria and
22 per cent in Geelong.
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Last year, 49 pedestrians were killed on Victoria's roads, accounting
for 15 per cent of road deaths and 11 per cent of serious injuries,
according to the Transport Accident Commission.

Mr Hughes said pedestrians were the most vulnerable group on the roads,
being four times more likely to be killed in a crash than any other group.

The survey was of 2,400 Australians, but AAMI has so far released only
the Victorian statistics.

- AAP

"Marty" == Marty writes:




Marty From the Age, not sure if it's been commented on here
Marty already.
Marty http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...982033356.html

snip

Marty Last year, 49 pedestrians were killed on Victoria's roads,
Marty accounting for 15 per cent of road deaths and 11 per cent of
Marty serious injuries, according to the Transport Accident
Marty Commission.

Marty Mr Hughes said pedestrians were the most vulnerable group on
Marty the roads, being four times more likely to be killed in a
Marty crash than any other group.

I guess I'm being a bit of a ****** pulling this stat out of something
that's really pretty tragic but here goes.

People act all amazed and stuff when I tell them I cycle everywhere.
I've even got the label ``temporary Australian'' with some people. It's
an image thing, cycling is regarded as a risky activity when in fact
it's four times safer than walking.

Try telling people that and you get real funny looks. Try telling them
that a higher proportion of cyclists on the road means that the accident
rate will drop for all road users.

So here's the challenge. How are we going to get the risks of cycling
recognised for what they are? And how are we going to turn around
traffic engineering to protect vulnerable pedestrians from other road
users?
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)

Euan Wrote:
So here's the challenge. How are we going to get the risks of cycling
recognised for what they are? And how are we going to turn around
traffic engineering to protect vulnerable pedestrians from other road
users?


The old chestnut of combining education and legislation. And besides,
I've got to post more 'WoJ stuff this week'
(http://s13.invisionfree.com/AusWheels_of_Justice/).

And there's another WoJ Goatage this Friday in Melbourne. Perhaps
that's another thread...


--
cfsmtb

"Marty" wrote:
From the Age, not sure if it's been commented on here already.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...982033356.html

Geelong 'worst' for pedestrians and cyclists

Pedestrians are more at risk of a close call with a car in Victoria's
regional city of Geelong than in any other part of the state, a new survey
shows.

The survey by car insurer AAMI found drivers in Geelong, south-west of
Melbourne, had the worst record for "close calls" with pedestrians and
cyclists.

More than one third (35 per cent) of drivers there reported they had
almost hit a pedestrian or cyclist, compared with 30 per cent in Melbourne
and 22 per cent in other regional areas.

AAMI public affairs manager Geoff Hughes said the results were
"unsettling" for all road users.

Not so unsettling really. After all it indicates that a high proportion of
motorists are aware of pedestrians and cyclists. It would be interesting to
get some idea of the proportion of pedestrian/cyclist journeysin Geelong
compared to the rest of Victoria. Long ago Geelong was the subject of
Victoria's first bikeplan, aimed at increasing the use of bicycles for
transport. If more people cycle and walk there as a result, it would be
expected that there may be more 'collision risks' on the roads. After all, a
near miss is a darn sight better than a collision. My experience is that
many motorists over dramatise the risk of pretty mundane cycling situations
(eg. cyclist claiming roadspace before a roundabout), while ignoring more
dangerous situations (eg. high speed close overtaking before a crest).

Cheers
Peter