Pathways surrounding a popular primary school in Tarragindi emerged as Brisbane’s top pathway hotspot, receiving the most concerns raised by respondents in the inaugural RACQ’s Safer Pathways Survey.
RACQ Transport Planning and Infrastructure Advisor Tim Mitchell said that the pathway network surrounding Wellers Hill State School in Tarragindi received the most number of complaints from hundreds of Queenslanders in the Club’s inaugural survey.
“One of the biggest concerns identified by Tarragindi residents was a lack of footpaths to accommodate school traffic on Chamberlain Street and pedestrian crossings,” Mr Mitchell said.
“This is a popular local primary school with more than 900 students; however, our survey has revealed there is a deficiency in safe and accessible pathways which makes it difficult for parents and children to get around.”
Meanwhile, on-road bike lanes on Sylvan Road in Toowong are also a hotspot for pathway issues, added Mr Mitchell, with residents describing the location as “narrow and intimidating”.
He said that in the third-ranking Brisbane CBD, safety issues were the most common concern why locals compete for footpath space, as well as a desire for more pathway connections. Whilst in Wooloowin, the major problem was the ending of the separated cycle path along the Northern Bikeway, where it transitions to an on-road bicycle lane at Price Street.
Active infrastructure appeared to be more in demand, the survey results revealed, particularly among Queenslanders walking or using e-scooter, e-bikes, and cycling. RACQ said that this highlights the importance of having pathway networks that are safe, connected, and accessible for the whole community.
The inaugural Safer Pathways Survey which ended on 17 August 2022, allowed residents to nominate multiple locations. The results were forwarded to councils and the State Government to help the state improve its active transport networks providing vital information about how the pathway network is used and where the current gaps and faults are.
The top five southeast Queensland suburbs for Safer Pathways Survey responses are Tarragindi (80), Toowong (29), Brisbane CBD (23), Wooloowin (19), and Nerang (16).
Find the map of the full survey results here: https://www.racq.com.au/saferpathwayssurvey