Imagine this. You're gliding along a shared pathway on an e-scooter when a sudden jolt reminds you of the challenges on our streets. In this episode of Road Rules 360, Wendy Nash sits down withJohn Burrill, a former Transport and Main Roads official with 20 years of experience. Together, we unpack the history, complexities, and quirks of Queensland’s personal mobility device (PMD) legislation.

Did you know the first laws for PMDs were designed for Segways? It took years of determined work to adapt them to cover eScooters and other devices. Today, the rules include strict speed limits (maximum 25 km/h), size requirements, and guidelines for where you can legally ride. But many of these regulations now feel outdated and overly complicated.

John shares detailed stories about PMD users navigating rough paths and tight spaces, showing how the rules often clash with real-world challenges. We explore the struggle to align PMD rules with those for bicycles and other mobility options while keeping streets safe and accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned eScooter user or someone keen to understand how to ride legally, this episode sheds light on how we can make the system work better for all.

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices

https://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/initiatives/pmd-rules

www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

In this Road Rules 360 episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy Nash and John Burrill tackle a road rule question from Ryan, a listener. The issue? What happens when a cyclist and a car both move through an intersection. John brings his extensive expertise from years in transport and road rules to break down the key responsibilities for both drivers and cyclists in this situation. He makes the point that while drivers must be vigilant and check their surroundings especially when turning left, cyclists have a clear responsibility to give way when it's behind a turning car.

This episode cuts through the complexity of road safety and looks into Queensland’s road rules highlighting the pressures on drivers to maintain awareness at every moment. John and Wendy discuss the burden on drivers to constantly shoulder-check while navigating the road and the need for smarter road design to make everyone’s journey safer. The hosts argue that effective road engineering could help ease the mental load on drivers and prevent confusion at intersections where cyclists and cars share the space.

As John points out it’s not just about rules – it’s about understanding them and knowing how to use them in the real world. You’ll walk away with a deeper grasp of the rules that apply to cyclists and drivers alike and why safer road design should be a priority.

www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au

Imagine if suburban buses became a go-to service, where seamless, frequent, and connected rides weren’t just an option but a game-changer. This week on The Streets and People podcast, Wendy sits down with Jonathan English, a transport expert from NYU’s Marin Institute of Urban Management, to talk about how suburban bus services can be built to stick - really stick - with riders, instead of falling into the “empty bus, poor service” trap so common in North America, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Drawing from Toronto’s success story, Jonathan explains how setting up consistent and high-quality bus services from the very start made all the difference in newer suburban areas. It's about more than just buses arriving on time - it’s about creating a true alternative to cars. Jonathan's insights span Toronto to Zurich and car-dependent Espoo on the outskirts of Helsinki, offering a front-row view of how integration and frequency can transform buses from overlooked to essential.

Wendy and Jonathan talk about what it takes to make these services thrive: cohesive networks, big-picture transport planning, and sound financial models that create a real foundation for growth. The conversation wraps with practical tips for local leaders, residents and anyone invested in improving suburban bus services. Because building bus networks that work - and that people want to use - takes a smart approach and a commitment to stick to it.

We mention the bus services in Espoo in Finland which Jonathan speaks on https://youtu.be/vAygH6SZg28?si=ew6pbxszLN5B8ju1

Why Did America Give Up on Mass Transit? (Don’t Blame Cars.) Streetcar, bus, and metro systems have been ignoring one lesson for 100 years: Service drives demand. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-08-31/why-is-american-mass-transit-so-bad-it-s-a-long-story

www.GetAroundCaboCarFree.com.au