We all need transport, we all need to move, we all need to get places conveniently: at the right time, in comfort and safety. But too many of us are stuck in a grove, doing what we’ve always done and complaining more about it, writes Hobart's City Mobility Portfolio Chair Cr Ryan Posselt.
Changing behaviour is a real challenge.
Humans are habitual creatures but sometimes changing behaviour results in both small and large positive personal changes.
Always reaching for your car keys is one such habit that is worth assessing, and perhaps trying something new.
For extra incentive, did you know that Hobart residents spend the largest amount of their household income on transport per week compared to any other capital city? – a whopping $408.55 in total!
Most of these transport costs are associated with owning and running a car.
Fuel, loan repayments, insurance, licensing, registration, servicing, the list goes on and it seems to me that these services are only becoming more expensive.
Last week I filled up my van with diesel and it cost a whopping $140.
How we travel has a significant impact on household budgets.
Choosing to cycle, take an e-scooter, catch public transport or use car-share for those extra trips, and importantly, avoiding a second car, can make a big difference to the household budget.
That’s why a key message in the City of Hobart’s draft Transport Strategy 2024 is enabling choice and encouraging modal shift.
We want you to try something new, break up the monotony of the same trip day in day out.
In fact, the Strategy recognises the physical and mental health benefits of choosing active transport.
We know that when people are active they have better health outcomes resulting in higher quality of life and less economic expenditure on healthcare.
That’s why its so pleasing to see that Hobartians so often choose walking shoes rather than car keys.
In fact, 28% of commuters walk to work, the highest of any capital city.
And twice as many people choose to cycle than in other capital cities.
Good work Hobart!
I am proud to share our vision for the future of transportation in our vibrant city, especially as we mark National Road Safety Week.
Our commitment to providing transport choice is not just a lofty ambition; it's a fundamental principle that drives every aspect of our 2024 Transport Strategy.
But we do understand that no single mode of transport can meet the needs of everyone all the time, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a transportation ecosystem that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of our community.
Like many cities we face the challenge of rising car ownership and dependency.
Hobart has highest rate of vehicle trips by car among Australian capital cities resulting in a 2 percent increase in car ownership each year.
That means each household is expected to own two cars in the next 30 years, an additional 30,000 vehicles on Tasmanian roads and a huge burden on our transport system.
This trend comes at a massive cost to society, because for every dollar you spend on a car it costs the community $9 and for every car parked in the city 9m2 of city space is lost to two tonnes of empty steel.
Is that the best use of space in our city?
How would you reallocate that space?
Allocating street space to accommodate a range of users and uses is essential to a vibrant city.
The Transport Strategy aims to realise the people’s vision of a city where everyone has access to convenient, safe and healthy ways to move around, intertwined with vibrant public spaces to connect, build stronger communities and support small business.
Reallocating space on Campbell Street through the completion of projects like the separated cycleways exemplifies our commitment to creating a safe, accessible, and connected urban environment.
These dedicated bicycle lanes not only provide physical separation from traffic but also accommodate micromobility devices like e-scooters, freeing up space on our footpaths for the 28% of people who walk to work.
But its not just those walking all the way to work that it helps.
You see, everyone is a pedestrian at some point in their journey, even those who drive.
By investing in safer more equitable infrastructure and promoting transport choice, we can create a city where everyone can move conveniently and freely in relative comfort and safety.
As we look to the future, I am optimistic about the transformative potential of our Transport Strategy 2024.
By empowering our community with choice, we are not only building a safer and more sustainable city but also ensuring that Hobart remains a welcoming and inclusive destination for all.