FAQ

The Safe Active Streets Program is an innovative program designed to allow pedestrians, motorists and bike riders to travel safer and easier in WA.

Safe active streets are designed to create safe and comfortable environments for everyone. 

Safe active streets create quieter local roads and a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians.  Vehicle speeds are reduced to 30 km/h to allow people in cars and on bikes to share the street safely. With lower traffic speeds, streets become much safer for pedestrians and children. Additional tree planting and landscaping make them more attractive places to walk or ride.

These streets are an important new part of Perth’s transport network offering safer and more comfortable routes for people walking and riding bikes. They encourage an active transport connection between parks, the local schools, local shops, business districts and where people live.

They are part of the Safe Active Street Program to provide the public with more options to achieve their transport needs

Along the route, signage and road markings will be used to identify the extent of the safe active street.

At major entry points to safe active streets, blue-and-white road patches, 30 km/h speed limit signs and raised platforms are installed to help slow traffic and alert people they are in a pedestrian and bicycle friendly space. Further signage is kept to a minimum to avoid a 'sea of signs'. Streets are designed to be identified easily, with distinctive road treatments that also help to lower speeds and encourage courteous interaction between street users.

Safe active streets can incorporate various measures to encourage slow traffic speeds, for example:

• Introducting a 30km/h speed zone.
• Raising platforms at intersections.
• Narrowing lane widths by introducing embayed parking and plantings.
• Changing stop/give-way signs to give priority to movements along the safe active street.
• Using traffic islands and medians to restrict car movements at intersections, while allowing movements in all directions for people on foot and on bikes.
• Introducing new pedestrian or bike crossings.

The Department of Transport is working with local government authorities to deliver a plan (Transport @ 3.5 Million - the Perth and Peel Transport Plan for 3.5 Million People and Beyond) across numerous suburbs which will enhance Perth’s network of bike-friendly routes – the safe active streets project forms part of this network.

The Town is excited to help implement this plan due to the numerous benefits that it gives the local community.

Safe active streets aim to make streets safer for everyone and are convenient, easy and sociable way to get around. They are designed to create comfortable environments for road users with all levels of experience. Safe active streets allow mums, dads, children, senior citizens and others to make short trips on bikes to schools, parks, shops or visiting neighbours.

Safe active streets are located on local streets with low traffic volumes and speeds. The routes are selected to form part of a wider network connecting to off-road shared paths and linking important community destinations.

They also have additional tree plantings to provide a shady and cooler street for street users. Aside from the improved visual appeal of the street, more local people will be using the street increasing the natural surveillance in the area and improving community connections.

Perth has all the ingredients needed for great walking and cycling – a warm climate, flat topography and outstanding natural beauty.

As our population increases and more people live near centres of activity, walking and cycling can play a big part in helping to reduce congestion, improve air quality, support local business and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle.

The Transport Portfolio’s Cycling Network Plan prepared as part of Transport @ 3.5 Million - the Perth and Peel Transport Plan for 3.5 Million People and Beyond ensures more emphasis is being placed on providing high quality, safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure that is integrated with public transport services.

The safe active street is being funded by the Department of Transport's Safe Active Streets Program. More information about this program can be found on the Department of Transport's website transport.wa.gov.au(External link) 

The sections of shared path will be jointly funded on a 50/50 basis between the Town of Victoria Park and the Department of Transport under the Western Australian Bicycle Network (WABN) Program.

Funding is already in place to complete the detailed design of all four projects by the end of the 2017/18 financial year.  This will enable the Town to complete applications for construction funding in the subsequent financial years.

The shared path on Rutland Avenue between Oats Street and Welshpool Road is the only section with funding committed for construction - this is due to be completed in 2018.

The safe active street and Goodwood Parade shared path are expected to be constructed in the 2018/19 financial year subject to funding confirmation.

Construction of the remaining section of shared path between Roberts Road and Oats Street has not been scheduled but is expected between 2020 and 2022.

The focus on the design is based around safety, residential amenity and users of the streets to provide a safer road environment for everyone. The design establishes a higher priority for pedestrians and cyclists (of all ages) but does not reduce the amenity for the vehicle driver. The key benefits include:

• Providing a safe environment for all road users (pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles);
• Promoting a low-speed environment that reduces potential accidents and resulting damage by reducing traffic lane widths;
• A reduction in the speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h;
• Improving amenity for residents;
• Addressing safety for children and school travel;
• Identifying area outside Victoria Park Train Station as a zone with high pedestrian movements.
• Complements ongoing Lathlain Traffic Management Plan with calming treatments along route.
  

Yes, as per WA road rules a driver may overtake a bike rider if there is enough space to do so safely (with a minimum of one metre passing distance), they have a clear view of the road ahead and they do not exceed the 30km/h speed limit

Yes, there will be some inconvenience during the construction stages, however it is not anticipated that there will be any inconvenience once the works have been completed.  This project aims to increase residential amenity by creating a quieter and safer environment.

This is unlikely as safe active street are designed for slow speed riding, consequently high-speed cyclists would avoid them. 

There are a couple of ways you can ask a question about the Rutland Avenue Shared Path Project:

• Ask a question online and we will respond

  Questions will be considered by the project team and a response will be posted.

• Give us a call

  Call the Town of Victoria Park on (08) 9311 8111 and ask to speak to a staff member about the Rutland Avenue Shared Path Project.

• Attend an information session events:

  Rutland Ave pop-up. Celebrate Bike Week with a free coffee and chia bun!

  Thursday 22 March, 7am-9am

  Outside Victoria Park Train Station, Lathlain (Rutland Ave side)

  Belmont Bike Breakfast

  Friday 23 March, 6.30am-8.30am

  Balbuk Way, Rivervale (off Goodwood Parade boat ramp)

• Complete a survey or feedback form

  You can submit a survey or feedback form online or collected a hard copy at the Town’s administration centre or library.

• Visit the administration centre
  
  99 Shepperton Road, Victoria Park.

Give us a call on (08) 9311 8111 and we’ll post a copy of the survey or feedback form out to you. Alternatively visit The Town's administration centre located at 99 Shepperton Road, Victoria Park and speak with an officer.