Australia

StreetFilm: Traffic Calming Done Right in Melbourne

Clarence Eckerson files this report (and StreetFilm) from Melbourne, Australia:

By Brad Aaron

12:04 PM EDT on March 17, 2008

Clarence Eckerson files this report (and StreetFilm) from Melbourne, Australia:

This city really is wonderful. Art, happiness, liveliness, and good walking
everywhere (between daily runs and walking I am averaging about 10 miles
per day). The incredible thing is the TRAFFIC CALMING. Unless you are on a
real highway no matter where you go there is inventive and unique traffic
calming. If you are on a main road, ANYWHERE you turn off you hit textured
crosswalks, gateways, speed bumps, just really the way it should be. Check
out the video, featuring Kevin Luten from UrbanTrans, to get an idea.

We put on a Streetfilms night (hastily arranged) and we got about 35 people
from the govt. and groups to show up. I got emails from people apologizing
that they couldn’t come! And one guy was the biggest fan saying his
favorites are Sasquatch and our clay animations. Due to popular demand, I
am giving another showing on Tuesday with a smaller group.

Today in 100+ degree heat I am going for a bike ride with a whole gaggle of bike
people and advocates. Should be fun if I don’t die!

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.