Why do so many Australians feel trapped by car dependency? Our transport system was meant to give us freedom, yet oversized vehicles, unsafe streets, and poor public transport leave many with few real choices.

In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, former transport academic Prof Matt Burke shares how childhood frustration and personal loss led him to rethink how cities move.

Matt unpacks the hidden costs of car-dominated suburbs - the toll on public health, the economic burden of inefficient transport, and how poor design leaves communities vulnerable. You’ll hear about the risks of high-speed residential streets, the social impact of big vehicles, and why walking and cycling infrastructure is more than just a convenience - it’s a way to make your neighbourhood safer, quieter, and more connected.

What would it take to create streets that work for everyone?Slower speeds, better footpaths, and smarter policies could shift the balance.

Could these changes make your daily life easier?

We refer to Tim Gill's episode which you can listen to here: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e54-pp-tim-gill-on-kids-need-freedom-to-thrive-or-we-risk-losing-more-than-we-know.

If you're interested in 30kph streets, you're welcome to listen to:

• Rod King share how 20s Plenty shifted to safer street speeds https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e24-pp-rod-king-20s-plenty-in-the-uk-discusses-how-to-get-safe-street-speeds-from-30mph-50kph-to-20mph-30kph

• Becky, a car driver, about why she disliked driving at 20mph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e53-ned-becky-shares-her-experiences-disliking-driving-at-30kph-to-finding-it-enjoyable

www.GetAroundCaboolture.au

Getting to school should be simple, safe, and something Your family can enjoy. But too often, traffic chaos, unsafe streets, and outdated habits get in the way.

In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy talks to Alice Woodruff about practical ways to make walking, riding, and public transport the best choice for families, schools, and workplaces. Alice shares how the RideScore program on the Sunshine Coast has used technology and community support to help more kids ride to school. She breaks down the power of safer speeds, better footpaths, and small changes that add up over time.

You will hear how parents, councils, and schools can work together to shift the way we move. When communities rethink their streets, they build stronger connections, healthier routines, and a future where getting around feels easy and natural.

Alice mentions the RideScore program on the Sunshine Coast: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/news/australian-first-ridescore-trial-rolls-into-sunshine-coast-230318and WA's YourMove program https://yourmove.org.au/schoolsThroughout the conversation, we refer to episodes which you may wish to listen to:

Stephen Hodge on the RideScore program: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e33-pp-stephen-hodge-weride-discusses-the-economic-social-and-health-benefits-of-riding-your-bike-in-your-local-area

Tim Gill on the in-car-ceration of children: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e54-pp-tim-gill-on-kids-need-freedom-to-thrive-or-we-risk-losing-more-than-we-know

Sara Stace about how you can connect with resources to make changes in your area https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e6-pp-sara-stace-building-streets-that-work-the-simple-idea-changing-cities-for-good

James Laing on creating good enough bike infrastructure https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e2-pp-james-laing-making-cities-move-with-active-travel

William Bird on how to get more people in the community active by starting a conversation https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e3-pp-dr-william-bird-building-healthier-communities-the-power-of-nature-and-trust

Rachel Gallagher isn't mentioned. However, in the show notes, there's a survey to ask others about the infrastructure barriers needed to get kids riding bikes to school which you may find of interest https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e-rachel-gallagher-discusses-how-transport-impacts-housing-west-cabo-density-history-of-seq-sprawl-and-much-more

https://getaroundcaboolture.au

Safer streets don’t happen by accident. Sara Stace has spent years working inside government and alongside communities to make walking, cycling, and public transport easier for you. From writing Australia’s National Active Transport Strategy to leading Better Streets, she knows what it takes to cut through red tape, bring people together, and make real changes to the places you move through every day.

In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Sara shares practical ways you can push for better streets. She breaks down the five key shifts Better Streets is working towards, explains how to get local councils on board, and shows why small wins add up. Whether you’re a transport professional, a policy maker, or just someone who wants to walk or ride without stress, this conversation will give you tools to make a difference.

Sara mentions Greg Satell's book Cascades https://gregsatell.com/cascades

Find out more at Better Streets.org.auhttps://www.betterstreets.org.au

We also chat about safer road speeds and a previous episode with Rod King from 20s Plenty:https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e24-pp-rod-king-20s-plenty-in-the-uk-discusses-how-to-get-safe-street-speeds-from-30mph-50kph-to-20mph-30kph/And Becky who shared her experience as a driver about the newer speedshttps://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e53-ned-becky-shares-her-experiences-disliking-driving-at-30kph-to-finding-it-enjoyable/.

GetAroundCaboolture.au