Road safety funding win for vulnerable users

Published on 01 May 2024

Cyclists and E-mobility vehicle users are going to be the winners after Glenelg Shire Council received funding for a project to support safer routes for those road users.

Council was recently successful in receiving a $30,000 grant from the Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Local Government Grant Program.

The funding will be used to engage with the community to investigate and develop solutions for a Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) scheme for the Portland CBD and medical precinct that will support a route-based safer cycling/ E-mobility culture.

This will include investigating speed reductions for strategic pedestrian and cycle corridors, pedestrian and Cycling/ E-mobility assessments for each corridor and functional designs with a strong focus on vulnerable road users.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said the aim was to develop a network corridor strategy to improve vehicle, pedestrian, cycling and E-mobility safety.

“These are our most vulnerable users on urban roads and we welcome the State Government funding to help keep them safer,” she said.

“The funding will help us provide prioritised, costed and functional designs for safer paths and intersections for cyclists and E-mobility users.”

Projects funded through the TAC grant program must use Safe System principles with a focus on reducing crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, those most vulnerable to trauma on our roads.

The Safe System is a holistic approach to road safety that recognises different elements of the road environment must work together to keep everyone safe - these elements include roads and roadsides, vehicles, travel speeds, and road users.

Caption: The Portland CBD and medical precinct (shaded yellow) will be the focus of safety improvements for cyclists and users of E-mobility solutions.