What if traffic lights could see people walking and riding asclearly as they see cars?Traffic signals shape our everyday journeys, yet most of us rarely think about the technology behind them — or who that technology is designed to respond to.In this episode, Wendy talks with traffic signals specialist Christian Chong-White about what happens inside an intersection. They explore why pedestrians can be left waiting, why a six-second crossing can feel very different depending on who you are, and how better detection technology could help traffic signals respond to the people actually using them.Christian also shares a personal story about his children walking to school and the concerns he had as a parent crossing a busy road.From scramble crossings and pedestrian detection to the power of simply reporting a problem, this conversation offers a different way of looking at traffic signals — not just as traffic management, but as an opportunity to make our streets work better for the people who use them.And perhaps the most encouraging message is that change doesn't always have to start with a major project. Sometimes it starts with noticing something, asking a question and speaking up.#TrafficSignals #RoadSafety #ActiveTransport #PedestrianSafety#Cycling #WalkableCommunities #Transport #UrbanDesign #TrafficEngineering#SafeStreets #CommunityVoice #StreetsAndPeople #GetAroundCaboolture#TransportInnovation #BetterStreetsCheck out our website for more info: Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au

What if changing a single word could help save lives?Most of us have heard road crashes described as "accidents". But what if that language shapes the way we think about road safety, responsibility and the choices we make every day?In this People and Projects episode of Streets and People, award-winning transport journalist Laura Laker shares the story behind the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines and explains why more thoughtful language can lead to more thoughtful conversations.Together, we explore how the stories told by journalists, police and public agencies influence public understanding, why context matters just as much as the collision itself, and how small changes in communication can encourage safer streets for everyone.This conversation isn't about blaming drivers or pointing fingers. It's about recognising that every road collision affects real people, real families and entire communities. It's about asking better questions, understanding the bigger picture and believing that road trauma is not something we simply have to accept.Whether you're a journalist, transport professional, councillor, planner, advocate or someone who simply wants safer streets for your family and neighbours, this episode offers practical ideas that can change the way you see road safety.Because when we change the conversation, we create opportunities to change outcomes.Guest: Laura Laker – award-winning transport journalist and creator of the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines.Here are the guidelines: https://www.rc-rg.com/guidelinesTo read Laura’s blogs: https://lauralaker.substack.com/ and https://shows.acast.com/streets-ahead To connect with Laura: https://bsky.app/profile/lauralaker.bsky.socialCheck out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/road-collision-reporting-laura-laker/Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au#RoadCollisionReporting #RoadSafety #LauraLaker #Journalism #Transport #ActiveTransport #Walking #Cycling #VisionZero #SaferStreets #StreetDesign #TransportPlanning #Community #PublicHealth #RoadSafetyJournalism

Every journey tells a story about the places we build and thecommunities we create.In this episode of Streets and People, we explore how transport shapes everyday life, from the choices people make to the opportunities available in our suburbs. Through a thoughtful conversation grounded in research and real-world experience, we look beyond roads and vehicles to ask what helps people feel connected, included and able to participate in their community.Whether you work in transport, planning, local government or simply care about creating places where people of all ages and abilities can thrive, this episode offers practical ideas and fresh ways of thinking about the future of our streets.If this conversation sparks an idea, we'd love to hear from you. Is there a transport topic you'd like us to explore, or someone you'd like us to interview? Your suggestions help shape future episodes.Learn more about Jonathan BrayReport: Decarbonising Suburban Transport https://jonathan-bray.com/decarbonising-suburban-transport-ways-of-thinking-and-acting This is the Sound of the Suburbs https://jonathan-bray.com/this-is-the-sound-of-the-suburbs-2LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bray-28807414Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathan-bray.bsky.socialListen to more Streets and People episodesWebsite: GetAroundCaboolture.auTo find out more about this episode: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/suburban-transport-jonathan-bray/Follow Get Around CabooltureFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getaroundcabooltureLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/get-around-caboolture/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StreetsandPeoplePodcastBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/getaroundcabooltur.bsky.socialPodcast creditsHost: Wendy NashGuest: Jonathan BrayTheme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound#StreetsAndPeople #Transport #UrbanPlanning #PublicTransport #ActiveTransport #HealthyStreets #PlaceMaking #Community #Walkability #Cycling#RoadSafety #Accessibility #LocalGovernment #Planning #Australia

Parking affects far more than where we leave our cars. Itinfluences our main streets, local businesses, public transport, shopping centres and the way our communities grow.In this episode of Streets and People, Wendy Nashspeaks with urban planner Dr David Mepham, author of Rethinking Parking: Planning and Urban Design Perspectives, about why parking reform matters and how parking decisions shape the places we use every day.David explores why people often have such strong reactions to parking, the impact of minimum parking requirements, how shopping centres and railway stations have evolved, and why understanding lived experience leads to better planning decisions.Along the way, he shares practical examples from projectsincluding the Gold Coast Light Rail, discusses the unintended consequences of park-and-ride facilities, and reflects on a simple experience—pushing a friend's stroller—that changed the way he thought about planning.Whether you're interested in transport, urban planning, localgovernment or simply curious about why our towns and cities look the way they do, this conversation offers practical insights into creating places that are welcoming, functional and enjoyable for everyone.Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/parking-reform-park-ride/Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au#ParkingReform #UrbanPlanning #TransportPlanning #StreetsAndPeople #Podcast

What if our streets could do more than move cars—what if they connected us? Max McCardel, an active transport specialist, joins us to explore how thoughtful design can transform the way we move, live, and belong in our communities. From pop-up bike lanes to school street closures, Max shares stories of how small changes can create safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone. Whether you’re a parent wanting safer routes for your kids, a commuter dreaming of a less stressful journey, or simply someone who believes our streets should work for people, this conversation will leave you inspired to reimagine the places we share every day. You can find Max here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-mccardelCheck out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/beyond-bike-lanes-community/Many thanks for Claire Tan for her excellent contribution for this episode.Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au#SaferStreets #CommunityFirst #ActiveTransport #PeopleOverCars #StreetDesign #HealthyCommunities #InclusiveSpaces #RethinkTheRoad #BikeFriendly #WalkableCities

What if our streets could be designed so that no one has tofear for their safety while walking, riding, or driving? In this heartfelt People and Projects episode of The Streets and People podcast, Wendy from Get Around Caboolture sits down with Kenn Beer, a passionate advocate for Safe System Solutions, to explore how we can create roads that protect everyone—no matter where they live or how they travel.Kenn shares his deeply personal journey, from designing roads to realising the human cost of flawed systems, and how a shift in mindset can save lives. Together, they discuss the challenges faced by under-resourced councils, the power of community advocacy, and simple, low-cost ways to makeour streets safer for all. This conversation is a reminder that change is possible when we work together, prioritise people over speed, and design with care for every member of our community.Tune in to hear how small changes can make a big difference—and how you can be part of the movement for safer, more inclusive streets.Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/safe-system-solutions-kenn-beer/#SafeSystemSolutions #SaferStreets #CommunityFirst #RoadSafety #WalkableCommunities #BikeFriendly #InclusiveDesign #ChangeMakers #Australia#AdvocacyMattersPodcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au

That moment when you watch your child run ahead on the footpath, and you wonder—what exactly are they breathing in? Physicist and science writer Laurie Winkless joins Wendy Nash for a conversation that gets to the heart of our daily lives: the invisible cloud of tyre and brake dust we’re all moving through.From Caboolture’s car-dependent streets to Wellington’s urban corners, we explore how the choices we make behind the wheel, the vehicles we choose, and the spaces we share can add up to cleaner air for the people we love. Because this isn’t just about cars—it’s about community. And the good news? We already have the power to make a difference.Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/tyre-dust-brake-pad-pollution/Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au#CleanAirForAll #CommunityCare #DriveWithPurpose#SharedStreets #ScienceForCommunity #HealthyNeighbourhoods #UrbanHope #TyreDust#AirWeShare #PodcastForGood

Why do our streets belong to cars? It wasn’t always this way—and it wasn’t an accident.In this eye-opening episode of Get Around Caboolture, we’rejoined by Professor Peter Norton, historian and author of Fighting Traffic, to uncover the shocking truth about how car dependence was engineered—not by public demand, but by powerful industries, clever language, and forgotten protests.What You’ll Discover:✅ The Great Street Heist: How a 1920s Los Angeles ordinance (written by a car dealer!) stole streets from pedestrians—and why Australia followed suit.✅ The Language of Control: Why we call crashes "accidents" and pedestrians "jaywalkers"—and how these words shape who we blame.✅ The Forgotten Rebels: The mothers and women who blocked streets with prams to demand safety—and why their story was erased from history. ✅The Next Scam? Why autonomous vehicles might just be car dependence 2.0—and what we’re missing in the rush for "progress."Why This Matters for Caboolture (and Everywhere Else)Peter Norton doesn’t just explain history—he hands you the blueprint to question it. And once you hear this, you’ll never look at a street the same way again.🎧 Listen now to uncover the hidden forces shaping our cities—and what we can do to take our streets back.Follow Get Around Caboolture for more conversations on walkable, liveable communities—because the future of transport isn’t just about cars. It’s about people.#CarDependence #UrbanHistory #WalkableCities#TransportJustice Lessons for a Better Transport Future with Peter Norton |Thursday 19 June 2025, TPA (formerly AITPM) https://youtu.be/OcRuf7gMAFo?si=9I1wUmDWDavufePgFind Peter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdnorton/On BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/norton.bsky.socialOn Facebook (recommended!) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033858551663At work https://engineering.virginia.edu/faculty/peter-nortonCheck out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/car-dependence-captive-driver-history/Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au

How can we design public transport networks that truly serve communities? In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy chats with Nicolas Reid, transport planner and author of Transit by Design: A Practical Guide to Planning Public Transport That Works. Nicolas shares his journey from commuting across Auckland’s Harbour Bridge to shaping transport systems in Berlin and beyond.Discover how to avoid the "mode first" trap, and why accessibility—like safe crossings and bike integration—is key. Nicolas also dives into the limits of transport modelling and offers actionable advice for politicians, councillors, and communities advocating for better transport.Whether you’re a transport enthusiast, a local leader, or just curious about how to make your suburb more connected, this conversation is packed with practical insights. Listen now to learn how thoughtful public transport design can transform daily life!On LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasreid and at MR Cagney https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrcagney)Buy it! Transit by Design: A practical guide to planning public transport that works (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GRPZ4VHD)Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.auKeywords: public transport design, buses, transport planning, accessibility, Nicolas Reid, Transit by Design, Caboolture, sustainable transport.

Queensland’s proposed eBike laws could strip away the independence of thousands of disabled riders including children with cerebral palsy, elderly cyclists, and people with mobility challenges. In this urgent episode, Andrea Herklots, co-founder of EveryBody eBikes (formerly Blind Freddy eBikes), joins us to expose how these laws threaten eBikes for disabled riders and what you can do to help.Andrea shares powerful stories of how adaptive eBikes transform lives but new regulations, like a 10 km/h speed limit, licensing requirements, and European compliance standards, could ban these lifelines overnight.Learn why these laws are flawed, how they’ll hurt vulnerable communities, and how to submit your story before 10 April to fight back. This isn’t just about bikes. It’s about human rightsCommunity Advocacy: How to Fight for eBikes for Disabled RidersAndrea urges the community to take action before the April 10 deadline:Submit Your StoryThe government is accepting submissions until 10 AM on 10 April. Personal stories are the most powerful way to show the impact of these laws. Politicians need to hear how the legislation will hurt real people.Contact Your Local MPExplain how eBikes help you or your loved ones, and ask your MP if they will fight for eBikes for disabled riders.Share on Social MediaUse the hashtag #EBikesForDisabledRiders to raise awareness. Tag Queensland politicians and disability advocates to amplify your message.Support EveryBody eBikes: The Home of Inclusive CyclingAndrea is collecting case studies to include in her submission. You can share your story by contacting https://everybodyebikes.com.au/ or 0409 126 669What You Can Do: Submit, Share, and Speak UpWrite Your SubmissionKeep your submission short and personal. For example:“My son has cerebral palsy. His eBike lets him ride with his friends. The new laws will take that away. Please protect eBikes for disabled riders.”Include your name, suburb, and contact details, as these are required for official submissions.Write your submissionhttps://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=272&id=8575The current legislationhttps://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/bicycle https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devicesSpread the WordShare this article with your network and talk to your local bike shop, disability group, or community organization to rally support.Conclusion: Protecting the Right to RideQueensland’s proposed EBike laws are a direct threat to disabled riders. For thousands of people, eBikes and eTrikes are not just a form of transport. They represent freedom, therapy, and connection to the community.Andrea Herklots and EveryBody eBikes are leading the fight to protect these essential mobility tools, but they need your voice. Submit your story, contact your MP, and stand up for eBikes for disabled riders.As Andrea says, “This isn’t about bikes. It’s about human rights. Everyone deserves the chance to ride.”Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | BensoundGetAroundCaboolture.au