Page 1823 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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built around this definition to provide specific protections to these users. As one example, Oregon provides distinct penalties for careless driving offences that involve vulnerable road users. It would be a leap forward for the ACT’s road transport laws if they even recognised the special category of vulnerable road users. This recognition is the springboard for developing further laws and policies.
Locally, I think we have some high quality experts that could provide input to this inquiry. My office has met, for example, with the researchers from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, which is a research institute focused on injury prevention that was established 25 years ago. One of the challenges, I think, is bridging the gap between some of the research and academic studies being done in places like Monash research centre and the policy implementation taking place in parliaments. I hope that this committee inquiry will help us to take advantage of this valuable research.
In addition to the formal experts, we do of course have strong local community interest in issues affecting vulnerable road users. This is evident just in the media attention and community discussion we see on the issue, as well as the various popular user groups in the community such as the Motorcycle Riders Association, Pedal Power, Canberra Off-Road Cyclists and Living Streets. As always, a committee will provide a useful forum for the public to contribute.
Finally, I would like to mention the benefits that this committee inquiry can have for Canberra’s future urban planning policies. In general, Australia has lagged behind when it comes to planning and designing for sustainable transport and, therefore, for vulnerable road users. It is well known that our history of transport planning has strongly favoured the motorcar and at the same time has discouraged cycling and walking. I think we are slowly overcoming this in the ACT. We have seen, for example, the recent opening of Canberra’s first separated Copenhagen-style cycle lanes at the Civic cycle loop. They will also soon be opening at the new Kingston foreshore development. These are exciting milestones for Canberra.
But providing better infrastructure is not a stand-alone solution for improving safety for vulnerable users. We need to use a broad palette covering education, laws, planning policies and infrastructure. I think that establishing this committee today is an excellent way to achieve this. Its work will be of great benefit to the ACT, to all its road users and to our future progress towards a safer transport system.
I proposed originally that the committee report by October. I do not mean to foreshadow an amendment, but in discussions with Mr Gentleman, he has indicated to me that he thinks a longer time frame would be appropriate. I am quite agreeable to that. I think the important part here is that the committee is given the space to examine a range of options, for people to put things on the table and to allow time for that follow-up research to be done if necessarily the case.
I think this is an excellent opportunity to look at an issue that will inform future policy in the ACT and for the committee system to play a very valuable role in that process. With those few remarks, I commend the motion to the Assembly.
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