HEALTHY TRANSPORT HOBART

The Critical Mass Hobart ride was graced with the presence of Urban Planner Jan Gehl as he winds up his tour of Hobart to find inspiration for his inner city development plan. Interestingly enough we thought he might be in the area and drafted a letter of support for the councils employment of his planning firm Gehl Architects. 31 people signed the letter of support for Mr Gehl. Gehl made his mark on Macquarie St as a proud pedestrian standing in the middle of the street as all the bikes rode past (video coming).

“Friday 26^th February, 2010

Dear Hobart City Council,

I would like to offer my support for the decision to hire Danish Architect Jan Gehl to propose a strategy to make Hobart a magnet for the people and visitors of greater Hobart. As a bicycle user I believe this will contribute to making Hobart a safer and more supportive city for bicycle transport.

The council is to be commended for seeking an urban planner renowned for best practice strategies to increase the liveability of our city.

I strongly support the council to begin investigating and mobilising finances to support the development of Jan Gehls recommendations. “

The ride attracted around 50 riders and featured the South Island Sirens roller Derby crew and our first runner. Yan from Launceston was in Hobart without a bike but was so committed he ran the whole circuit.

We thought these quotes are most appropriate:

Planning of the automobile city focuses on saving time. Planning for the accessible city, on the other hand, focuses on time well spent. – Robert Cervero

Cars are happiest when there are no other cars around. People are happiest when there are other people around. – Dan Burden

In a quality city, a person should be able to live their entire life without a car, and not feel deprived. – Paul Bedford

Bicyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on every public road, just as do all other users. Nothing more is expected. Nothing less is acceptable. – Chainguard.com

Parking is a narcotic and ought to be a controlled substance. It is addictive, and one can never have enough. – Victor Dover

We can’t simultaneously promote walking and bicycling while continuing to facilitate driving. – Albert Einstein

If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places. – Fred Kent

Whatever a traffic engineer tells you to do, do the opposite and you’ll improve your community. – Fred Kent

How nice it is to wake up every morning and know that your city is a little better than it was the day before. – Jan Gehl