Better Streets coalition in partnership with Bicycle NSW, took to the streets of Sydney and Wollongong on March 4 and 5 to demonstrate the need for better walking and cycling infrastructure across NSW.
Better Streets Walk and Ride participants gather in Herald Square before their inaugural walk and ride to Prince Alfred Park. (Photo: Better Streets NSW)
Better Streets Walk and Ride - Sydney
Just months after the coalition's launch late last year, the Sydney Walk and Ride event attracted over 150 supporters. Representatives from a diverse range of organizations such as health, climate, local community groups and local businesses attended.
Participants, led by John Caley from Bike Marrickville, rode and walked their way from Circular Quay to Prince Alfred Park. Riders travelled almost entirely along separated bike lanes including the recently opened College Street cycleway. Better Streets buzz was high at the Prince Alfred Park destination. Many new connections were made at the event's social festivities.
CEO of Bicycle NSW, Peter McLean highlighted that "Better Streets benefits everyone and that is why Bicycle NSW is proud to be a partner. We want to see a future where our streets are accessible for everyone and enjoyed by all."
Better Streets riders demonstrating the call for more bike lanes across NSW.
(Photo: Better Streets NSW)
Better Streets Takes on 3 Suburbs in The Illawarra!
On March 5th, another demonstration took place in the Illawarra suburbs of Thirroul, Woonona and Towradgei. Over 40 community members turned out to show the growing support for Better Streets within the region. Represented groups included Safe Streets to School Wollongong, Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Healthy Cities Illawarra, The Disability Trust and 30Please.org. The event received a wide range of media coverage from WINNEWS TV, ABC Radio and Illawarra Mercury.
Growing Rapidly
Growing rapidly, the Better Streets coalition now has more than 55 member organisations.
Better Streets believes that the community has the power to make a difference in creating safer, healthier, and more accessible spaces for walking and cycling.
Spokesperson for Better Streets, Sara Stace stated that “As a parent I want my kids to be able to walk or ride to school and their friends' houses safely and easily. That’s what Better Streets is here to do - to help communities to ask for street improvements in their local area.“
Better Streets riders filling up the cycle lane and showing the capacity and potential of the infrastructure installed in Sydney CBD. (Photo: Better Streets NSW)
Sydney Bike Share Providers Support Better Streets in Force
Better Streets partnered with four major bike-share companies (HelloRide, Lime, Beam and Neuron) for their Sydney Walk and Ride event, all of whom offered a 50% discount for all users across the Better Streets Weekend.
Better Streets riders make their way up the newly installed King Street Cycleway in Sydney’s CBD.
(Photo: Better Streets NSW)
According to Ride Report, almost 11,000 shared micromobility trips were taken during the Better Streets weekend in Metropolitan Sydney, covering a total distance of 20,390 km.
Better Streets Campaign Coordinator Dominic Nevin said, "Our mission is to create safe, healthy, people-friendly, and climate-friendly streets in New South Wales. We believe that by coming together, we can create positive change and make our communities more livable and accessible for everyone."
On March 5th, Better Streets supporters in the Illawarra gathered in a show of support for Better Streets in three key local electorates of Thirroul, Woonona and Towradgi. (Photo: Better Streets NSW)
Better Streets supporters show their support across three electorates in the Illawarra.
(Photo: Better Streets NSW)
For more information about the Better Streets Walk and Ride event and Better Streets' mission, please visit https://www.betterstreets.info.
