LIST OF ACTIONS PLAN

Key Direction 1: Making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists

• Action 1.1: Streets need to be redesigned to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

City of Whittlesea and Victoria Government should collaborate on street design proposals that encourage cycling and walking. Street features such as bike lanes, wider footpaths and number of travel lanes contribute to more active streets with less risks and severe fatalities (Marshall & Garrick, 2011). Each year, the City of Copenhagen has reduced car lanes in residential blocks, and replaced with cycling lanes separated by curbs (Gehl, 2010, p.24). Car intersections are converted into bicycle intersections, with special traffic lights making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to move around (Gehl, 2010, p.24). These implemented changes resulted in a 37% increase in cycling and walking as mode of transport to work and education (Gehl, 2010, p.24).

• Action 1.2: Implement temporary methods to separate cars from cyclists and pedestrians on heavy-traffic roads.

Epping Road has a total peak traffic volume of 8492 vehicles daily, while Harvest Home Road has less than 1000 vehicles passing by daily (City of Whittlesea, 2003). This indicates the carheavy traffic road conditions, leading to more road fatalities for pedestrians and cyclists. As proposals for redesign of streets may take time to be approved, temporary street features such as mobile bollards, poles, signs and markings can provide all street users with information on new street changes, speed limits, and right-of-way priorities. A case study in Cambridgeshire, UK shows a design of bus stops that attempts to separate cyclist’s lanes from the main road, which improves road safety for all users (Sustrans, 2015). A method of analysis was used to determine the safety of this design, and the results were positive, with noticeable increase in pedestrian movements using the cycling lane as extension of footpaths as well (Sustrans, 2015).

Key Direction 2: Encourage and promote walking and cycling as active travel

• Action 2.1: Implement cycling and walking programs as a part of community plan and school curriculum

Perception of walking and cycling has gradually changed over the years. However, pedestrians and cyclists still see themselves as neglected users, while others within the community rely on presented accidents statistics and safety indicators as justification to avoid cycling and walking (Marquart & Schicketanz, 2021). The City of Whittlesea should work with local schools and communities to incorporate walking and cycling activities as part of their curriculum and community plan. Walking and cycling can be influenced by ecological perceptions (Keall et. al, 2015). By educating and actively promoting walking and cycling, people are more likely to participate and see these transport modes as part of active travel. A case study in New Zealand indicates simple promotion and community intervention with cycling and walking programs shows an increase of 3.4% trips made by cycling and walking (Keall et. al, 2015).

• Action 2.2: Promote benefits of cycling and walking activities

Obesity, alcohol-related harm and depression/anxiety are the most prevalent health risks affecting Whittlesea’s residents (SGS Economics & Planning, 2018). These health hazards are most common among disadvantaged community (people who speak languages other than English, Aboriginal, unemployed, have an annual income of less than $40000 or rented their homes) (Victoria State Government, 2019, p.21). 60.7% of Epping North population speaks multiple languages, while 24.6% of houses are rented (Informed Decisions, 2021). Cycling and walking as leisure activities can improve mental and physical well-being such as reducing risks of obesity, improve weight controls and increased functional status for older adults (Racioppi et. al, 2005). Cycling and walking activities can also help communities form connections among others, highlighting diversity and multiculturalism. 55.6% of adults stated multicultural and community activities have improved their lives in their suburb (Victoria State Government, 2019, p.29).

Key Direction 3: Build and maintain street connections

• Action 3.1: Implement planning provisions on building mixes and land use patterns to en sure diverse streetscape

Currently, most of residential blocks within Epping North-Wollert are clustered within the same area, indicating lack of building diversity. Active neighborhoods require versatile spaces and complex activities, which encourage walking and cycling (Gehl, 2010, p.20). Epping North has an average block size of between 180-250 m (see Figure 7). Finer block and building grains of 100-200 m allows for easier navigation for pedestrians and cyclists, while contributing to space permeability, creation and connection between more streets and alleyways (Dovey, 2016, p.21). The local council and City of Melbourne should make amendments to zoning and provisions that affect neighborhood environment such as height restrictions, building mixes implementation and footpath widening. By changing planning provisions that affect the built environment, it creates opportunities to improve street networks for walkability and cycle ability in Epping North.

• Action 3.2: Implement the concept of “cyclist/pedestrian-only zones”

The top three occupations in Epping North are professionals (17.2%), clerical and administrative workers (14.5%), and technicians and trade workers (13.6%) (Informed Decisions, 2016). These account for 45.4% of Epping North/Wollert’s employment population (Informed Decisions, 2016). 62.9% of Whittlesea’s residents travel outside their area to work (Informed Decisions, 2016). Implementing cyclist/pedestrian only zones, in conjunction with safe street networks and building diversity will allow the aforementioned occupations to grow over time and improve Epping North’s overall economy by providing industry clusters, more social interactions and reducing time and distance travelled daily. Cyclist and pedestrian only zones also provide opportunities to improve quality of space and environment, which can have positive impact on local economy, job growth, productivity, health and wellbeing (Zandiatashbar & Hamidi, 2018, p.167).