The Kids Research Institute Australia has backed a series of transport priorities which, if implemented, would keep children safer on the roads, boost physical activity levels, and save the economy billions of dollars. The Three Transport Priorities – developed by the Australasian Society for Physical Activity (ASPA) – were presented to federal politicians in Canberra today, ahead of the federal election.
Supported by a national alliance of 13 health, transport, education and climate organisations, the priorities call for:
- Lower Default Urban Speed Limits in residential areas, shopping streets and school zones
- 1500m Safe Routes to School including footpaths, pedestrian priority crossings, and ‘no drop off’ zones
- E-Bike Purchase Subsidy of up to $1000 off for customers purchasing an e-bike.
Physical activity researcher Tepi Mclaughlin, a Senior Research Officer at The Kids and spokesperson for ASPA, said the three priorities were evidence-based solutions that would reduce crashes, reduce congestion, and increase physical activity – resulting in happier, healthier kids and adults.
“With drivers of motor vehicles remaining the number one killer of children in Australia, and physical activity levels way down compared to previous decades, it’s imperative that we make our streets safer,” Mr Mclaughlin said.
“We know that despite half of all kids in Perth living within 1km of school, only one in five walk or cycle to school. This is a fraction of the 75 per cent of children that used to walk or ride 40 years ago, when local roads were more playful places and parents felt safe to let kids walk or cycle to school.
Today, half of all Australian parents have concerns about letting their kids walk or ride to school – meaning kids are missing out on a crucial opportunity to engage in important forms of physical activity.
Mr Mclaughlin said that with one in ten Australians dying early due to preventable diseases caused by physical inactivity, Australia couldn’t afford not to implement the priorities.
“We know that business as usual will continue to lead to crashes ($22 billion), congestion ($19 billion), and physical inactivity ($16 billion) – costing Australia a whopping $57 billion every year,” he said.
The Kids Research Institute Australia is one of 13 national organisations to join an alliance supporting the Three Transport Priorities. Other organisations include WeRide Australia, Australian Health Promotion Association, Australasian College of Road Safety, Heart Foundation of Australia, and the Climate Council. Mr McLaughlin said the Transport Priorities tied in closely with The Kids research and its mission for happy, healthy kids.
“Our own research from the BEACHES project suggests that WA’s built environment could be considerably improved for kids, in ways that would support them to be more active,” Mr McLaughlin said. "Our built environment simply isn’t always safe enough for kids to get out and be as physically active as they could be. The Three Transport Priorities are key steps to addressing this."
For more information on the Three Transport Priorities, see ASPA’s website here.