Gayle Dallaston

Author. Founder of The Shady Lanes Project.

Walking as Transport

Walking to me has always meant independence, autonomy, and freedom. It is the primary method of transport, ideally extended by good public transport. And for some supplemented by wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and bicycles.

For the young, walkable neighbourhoods means not having to be driven everywhere by parents. Walking means learning how to navigate your neighbourhood. It’s part of becoming independent.

For the elderly, walkable neighbourhoods mean that you retain your independence even if you have to give up driving.

For everyone in between, it means the option of financial freedom from the triple burden of maintenance, insurance and registration of owning a car.

I currently working on a book, What Does Sustainable Transport Look Like?, (working title).

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Gardens for walking through

Active transport advocates and verge gardeners have a lot in common.

We’re pleased to see the emphasis on pedestrian comfort and safety, with footpaths being described as transport corridors, made it into the story about verge gardening on ABC Gardening Australia last night.

Read more and comment on the Walking as Transport Substack post

 

Waypoints For People Walking And Cycling

Imagine the equivalent of a service station for pedestrians. A place where they can break their journey, to rest, recharge, check their directions. It’s a landmark and a meeting spot.

Read more on the Shady Lanes Substack post

Three things we must do to cool our streets and cities

Heat and shade are on everyone’s agenda these days. Whether it’s the health, walkability, equity, economic, social or other aspect will depend on the organisation’s purpose. But it’s clear to all that we need to reduce urban heat as much as we can and find ways of adapting.

I was asked what we need to do to increase shade in our streets for walkability. Of course we need more trees and more verge gardens. Perhaps that was all I was supposed to say.

But…

Read More on the Shady Lanes Substack post