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““SOLVITUR AMBULANDO”SOLVITUR AMBULANDO”St Augustine c 400ADSt Augustine c 400AD

Walking is the first thing an infant wants to do and the Walking is the first thing an infant wants to do and the last thing an old person wants to give up.last thing an old person wants to give up.

Walking is the exercise that does not need a gym. It is Walking is the exercise that does not need a gym. It is the prescription without medicine, the weight control the prescription without medicine, the weight control without diet, and the cosmetic that can’t be found in without diet, and the cosmetic that can’t be found in

a chemist. It is the tranquilliser without a pill, the a chemist. It is the tranquilliser without a pill, the therapy without a psychoanalyst, and the holiday therapy without a psychoanalyst, and the holiday

that is free.that is free.What’s more, it does not pollute, consumes few natural What’s more, it does not pollute, consumes few natural

resources and is highly efficient. Walking is resources and is highly efficient. Walking is convenient, it needs no special equipment, is self-convenient, it needs no special equipment, is self-

regulating and inherently safe.regulating and inherently safe.Walking is as natural as breathing.Walking is as natural as breathing.

(John Butcher, Founder of  Walk21, 1999) (John Butcher, Founder of  Walk21, 1999)

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PEOPLE WANT TO WALKPEOPLE WANT TO WALK

• In Melbourne 17% (2m/day) of all trips are on foot In Melbourne 17% (2m/day) of all trips are on foot

• There are 3.15m car trips/day of less than 2kms.There are 3.15m car trips/day of less than 2kms.

• Interviews in a range of environments show that Interviews in a range of environments show that 65-70% wanted to walk more if conditions 65-70% wanted to walk more if conditions improvedimproved

• Where walk environments have been improved:Where walk environments have been improved:– Some schools have doubled the rate of “active Some schools have doubled the rate of “active

transport” for the school trip – WSB + new infrastructuretransport” for the school trip – WSB + new infrastructure– City of Melbourne “Places for People” – Ped volumes on City of Melbourne “Places for People” – Ped volumes on

a summer weekday daytime up 39% - Ped volumes on a a summer weekday daytime up 39% - Ped volumes on a summer weekday evening up 98%summer weekday evening up 98%

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What people wantWhat people want What are the What are the barriers?barriers?

1.1. Better pedestrian Better pedestrian crossingscrossings

2.2. Reduced traffic Reduced traffic volume and speedvolume and speed

3.3. Better footpaths and Better footpaths and pram ramps pram ramps

4.4. Better seating, Better seating, maintenance maintenance

5.5. Improved wayfinding Improved wayfinding signage signage

1.1. Political and admin Political and admin culture change is slowculture change is slow

2.2. Still stuck in the “big Still stuck in the “big infrastructure” mind-set.infrastructure” mind-set.

3.3. Walking/active transport Walking/active transport gets 1% of budgetgets 1% of budget

4.4. Investment of 2-3kms of Investment of 2-3kms of Eastlink-equivalent (at Eastlink-equivalent (at $84m/k) would change $84m/k) would change Victoria significantlyVictoria significantly..