What happens when an advertising creative turns his skills toward safer streets? In this episode, Wendy sits down with Tom Flood to explore how bold visuals, humour, and human-centred storytelling can transform the way we talk about road safety and urban space.
From a family bike ride that sparked unexpected advocacy to poster campaigns that challenge “what’s normal” on our streets, Tom shares how creativity can cut through politics, data, and jargon to connect with everyday people. Together, they unpack the power of reframing, fighting car-centric narratives with wit, and using art to humanise policy debates.
A conversation about empathy, imagination, and how redefining the norm can help build streets that work for everyone.
Follow Tom on Instagram @rovelocreative
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tomflood.bsky.social
To connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-flood-7a91b411/
To share Tom's posters, follow his Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583795684294
Here's Tom's website: creativebyrovelo.com
What if the simple act of riding a bike could change an entirecommunity?
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Megan Ramey — a bold voice reimagining how children, parents, and neighbourhoods move through their streets. From joyful bike trains" to quick-build street transformations, Megan shows how two wheels can unlock independence, calm traffic, and reconnect people to the places they live.
This isn’t a conversation about cycling — it’s a conversation about freedom, confidence, and the kind of communities we want our kids to grow up in.
You’ll hear:
Uplifting, thought-provoking, and full of real-world wins —this episode reminds us that big change can begin with something small, simple,and wonderfully human.
One bike. One street. One spark.
Press play — and imagine what could happen next. 🚲✨
During the conversation, we discuss the following:
Marco te Brommelstroet. Here's his episode.https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e44-pp-marco-te-brommelstroet-on-how-to-talk-about-transport-without-talking-about-transport
What is the Hill of Hysteria?https://thelabofthought.co/library/the-hill-of-hysteria
Life After Cars by Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon and AaronNaparstek https://www.lifeaftercars.com
Get AroundCaboolture.au
Transport expert Todd Litman, founder of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, joins us to talk about rethinking mobility, reducing car dependence, and his research on the Mobility Productivity Paradox—why more driving can actually lower productivity.
We discuss how walkability, public transport, and cycling make communities healthier and fairer, and how better planning can help suburbs like Caboolture become more multimodal. After the recording, Todd shared that Caboolture’s Walk Score is 33, highlighting its car dependence—and its potential to changewith investment in footpaths, pedestrian crossings, bikeways, and public transport. We also touch on Jennifer Kent’s research about how many everyday trips, like walking the dog, show the hidden value of walkable communities.
What if parking wasn’t really free? Tony Jordan from the Parking Reform Network joins us to explain how parking rulesquietly shape housing costs, transport choices, and the look and feel of our neighbourhoods.
In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Tony shares how one blog post changed his life — and how rethinking something as ordinary as a car park canmake towns and suburbs fairer, safer, and easier to get around. 🎧 Tune in tohear how parking reform could transform the places we live, work, and play.
Links and Resources
In this People & Projects episode of Streets and People, we chat with Paris Lord, a passionate advocate who is reshaping communities in Canberra through cycling. From reconnecting neighbourhoods after the pandemic to inspiring people of all abilities to get involved, Paris’s journey shows the power of bikes to transform lives.
Rediscovering Cycling's Joy
Paris shares how his love for cycling began as a child in northern NSW, and how it has become a way to bring people together. His personal experience shows how cycling can create joy and freedom, helping to build stronger bonds within communities.
Bike Tours and Cultural Exploration
Through "Canberra by Bike", Paris takes locals and visitors alike on tours exploring the city's rich history, architecture, and culture. These tours aren't just about seeing the sights—they’re about bringing people closer to the heart of Canberra in a fresh, engaging way.
The Bike Bus Revolution
The Bike Bus is Paris’s innovative project that’s getting kids to school in a fun and active way, reducing congestion and promoting independence. The initiative has rallied support from families, local politicians, and activists, showing the power of community-led change.
Cycling for All Abilities
Paris emphasizes inclusivity in his projects, partnering with groups like Fit Ability to offer cycling events for people with vision impairments. His work highlights how cycling can be adapted to all abilities and how communities can grow by ensuring no one is left out.
Challenges on the Journey
Paris opens up about the obstacles he’s faced, from technical issues to low turnout at events. Through each setback, he's found resilience, proving that persistence and adaptability are key in any community-driven project.
Paris’s story is a powerful reminder that by engaging with our communities, we can all contribute to making our neighbourhoods more connected and vibrant. His work shows how cycling, and grassroots initiatives, can shape more people-centred cities.
Keep Pedaling Forward
Paris leaves us with a hopeful message: every small action matters. Whether you're joining a Bike Bus or cycling around your block, you’re contributing to a larger movement that encourages connection, creativity, and positive change.
You'll find the info on Paris' website and Lyneham BikeBus
Russell King joins Streets and People to discuss how conservatives can embrace active and public transport. It's about independence, choice, reducing government spending, and improving health outcomes.
Active and public transport align with conservative values by giving people more freedom and autonomy while saving money in the long run. Tune in to learn why transport policy needs to be rethought from all political perspectives.
Sign up to Russell’s excellent newsletters and blogs here: transportlc.org/subscribe.
Get Around Caboolture.au
What if the biggest waste of space in Caboolture isn’t empty shops - but empty carparks? (Caboolture is a high growth outer suburb north of Brisbane).
In this episode of Streets and People, Wendy sits down with Steven Burgess, one of Australia’s leading voices on urban planning and parking reform. Steven’s journey started with Brisbane’s iconic New Farm–Teneriffe renewal and led him to ask a powerful question: what happens when we design streets for people instead of cars?
You’ll hear why car dependency costs communities more than just money - undermining safety, productivity, and even our sense of belonging. Steven shares stories of cities that thrive with less parking and more life, and he explains why the outer suburbs face both the toughest challenges and the biggest opportunities.
From urban villages within walking or biking distance, to smarter transport choices, to the economic upside of reform - this conversation reveals practical, hopeful ways your Council can grow into a safer, more connected, and more enjoyable place to live.
Listen in, and imagine what your suburb could become if we stopped paving paradise for parking lots.
To read the report about the post-parking reform transformation on Elizabeth Street, Hobart, see our website page for this episode
In this People and Projects episode of Streets and People,Wendy speaks with Anna Gurnhill about the Healthy Active by Design initiative, exploring its origins and the significant impact it has on urban planning and community health.
Anna explains how built environments can encourage physical activity and improve heart health, focusing on key principles like walkability, mixed-use land development, and community advocacy.
Anna reflects on her career from cultural geography to active transportation, sharing the Heart Foundation's motivation behind the initiative and its guidelines for creating healthier, more liveable communities. She alsooutlines successful case studies, recent research, and upcoming resources for professionals and community members working to build more walkable and heart-healthy neighbourhoods.
The conversation also highlights the complexities of transport in peri-urban areas and the critical role of community involvement in advocating for better urban designs. Anna’s insights provide a clear frameworkfor anyone working to create cities that prioritise health and accessibility and community members wanting more walkable places.
Links for Show Notes:
In this People and Projects episode of the streets and people podcast, Wendy sits down with Prue Oswin, a professional engineer and active transport specialist based on the Sunshine Coast. The conversation takes you through Prue's journey, from childhood days spent on bicycles and rollerblades to her experiences as a triathlete and her transition into transport planning.
Prue shares her deep passion for making communities safer and more accessible for active transport. She discusses the gap she noticed in her knowledge after becoming a mother and how it reshaped her approach to transport engineering. Her projects focus on making walking and biking safer, particularly for children. One of her standout achievements? Improving school safety by engaging with the community to identify infrastructure needs, leading to practical, cost-effective solutions like safer crossings that have resulted in more children biking to school.
In this insightful episode, Prue explores the power of low-cost interventions, highlighting how simple changes can have a significant impact on road safety and community well-being. From surveys at local schools to practical solutions for active transport infrastructure, Prue provides a comprehensive look at how we can create safer, more inclusive communities.
For more resources on the topic, check out the following links:
Various Articles: Sidelines Traffic Articles
Yandina Active Transport Infrastructure Improvements Survey Outcomes: Survey Results
Other articles:
If you're interested in learning more about creating safer streets, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in now and join the conversation on how to improve active transport for all.
In this People on Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, we explore road safety education with John Duncan from Brake Australia.
John shares his journey from psychology to road safety, inspired by his father’s experience as a police officer delivering life-changing news to families of crash victims. This deeply personal connection is the foundation to Brake Australia's mission to improve road safety for high school students across Queensland.
Unlike its UK and New Zealand counterparts, Brake Australia focuses on the psychological and behavioural aspects of driving, such as risk assessment and peer pressure. The organisation’s evidence-based programs, developed in collaboration with CARRS-Q and crash research centres, are helping to shift young people's attitudes and behaviours towards safer driving.
John also highlights the crucial role of teachers and parents in delivering and reinforcing these important messages. The impact is clear, with the program achieving significant improvements in student attitudes toward driving. Brake Australia is now scaling its efforts with support from government grants and community partnerships.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about road safety education, community involvement, and how Brake Australia is expanding its reach across the country.
BRAKE Website: www.brake.org.au
BRAKE Parents Dashboard: www.brake.org.au/parents
Register for BRAKE: www.brake.org.au/register-for-brake-now
Support BRAKE: www.brake.org.au/brake-partners-and-supporters
BRAKE E-mobility Safety Program: www.brake.org.au/pmd-escooter-optional-module
BRAKE LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/brake-australia
BRAKE Facebook: www.facebook.com/brakeaustralia
Contact BRAKE: admin@brake.org.au
In this People and Projects episode of The Streets and People Podcast, Andrew Talati discusses the transition from BunchRides to NeighbourlyRide. He explains the motivation behind NeighbourlyRide, focusing on using cycling to address loneliness, encourage community engagement, and promote physical activity.
Andrew also covers the challenges of securing grant funding, the diverse community participation, and the broader implications of building social infrastructure. He highlights the importance of fostering human connections in today’s digital society and how initiatives like NeighbourlyRide help strengthen neighbourhood ties while promoting inclusivity and health.
Join Andrew and Wendy for an insightful conversation on community-based cycling programs and the value of neighbourly connections.
Go for a NeighbourlyRide
What if we told you the best way to shape your neighbourhood isn’t with blueprints or boring public meetings - but with toys, laughter, and found objects?
In this People and Projects episode of Streets and People, Wendy chats with James Rojas and John Kamp, the creative minds behind Dream Play Build. These two are flipping the script on community engagement. Forget jargon-filled consultations and slide decks. James and John show how playful, hands-on methods unlock people’s imagination and voice.
You’ll hear how James went from building miniature worlds as a kid in East LA to reshaping real urban spaces. And how John’s background in environmental activism taught him the power of humour and joy to shift hearts and minds. Together, they’ve developed a proven method that uses art, play, and sensory experiences to draw people in, build trust, and deliver real-world results.
Whether you're an urban planner, community organiser, or just want to make your area better, this episode will inspire you to dream, play, and build with your community at the centre.
Dream Play Build: Hands-On CommunityEngagement for Enduring Spaces and Places https://islandpress.org/books/dream-play-build (discount code PLACEIT)
One of Planetizen's top planning anddesign books of 2022: https://www.planetizen.com/features/119960-top-urban-planning-books-2022
You can contact them at www.prairieform.comGetAroundCaboolture.au
This People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast explores a confronting but crucial topic — suicides in the transport system and their exclusion from Australia’s official road safety data. Host Wendy speaks with Professor Milad Milani, whose research shines a light on intentional road crashes, a hidden part of our road trauma story.
Together, they unpack the challenges in identifying and classifying suicide-related crashes, and how this affects both prevention and support. They discuss statistical patterns, vulnerable demographics, and why it's essential to include these incidents in road safety strategies. This sensitive conversation about suicide runs until 17:38.
From 17:38 onward, the discussion shifts to the broader landscape of road safety improvements in Australia — particularly progress made up until 2023. However, Milad explains how this progress is now under threat with the increasing presence of much larger vehicles on suburban streets, posing new and growing challenges for vulnerable road users.
This is a powerful and timely conversation that calls for open dialogue, more compassionate systems, and stronger policies that respond to emerging risks on our roads.
Connect with Milad https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4267932/
We chat about recent articles Milad has published in The Conversation.
GetAroundCaboolture.au
Walking, biking, riding—and meeting changemakers along the way.
In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, host Wendy sits down with Emmanuelle Bugara, an active transport enthusiast from Lille, France, who, with her partner, is setting off on an extraordinary global journey.
Their mission? To walk, cycle, and use public transport across continents, connecting with people who are reshaping the way we move through cities. Emmanuelle believes that leadership in transport change comes not just from top-down policy but from stories, lived experiences, and everyday people choosing different ways to move.
They’ll explore bike lanes in Bogotá, public transit in Tokyo, and pedestrian paths in Toronto. Along the way, they’re hoping to meet city-shapers, local advocates, and curious citizens who care about active mobility and want to share what’s working.
If you’re in one of these places (or know someone who is) reach out and say hello:
Cities:
Lille, London, Cardiff (Wales), Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavík, Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, New Orleans, Nashville, Santiago, Melbourne, Sydney
Countries:
France, UK, Wales, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, USA, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, French Polynesia (Tahiti), New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, China, India, Turkey
Whether you’re running a community bike project, working in city planning, or just love getting around on foot, Emmanuelle would love to meet you. This episode is a call to connect, to share what’s working, and to celebrate the joy and freedom of moving through the world under your own power.
Follow their journey. Share your street. Change the story.
During the episode, we discuss these too!
The movie Tomorrow (in French Demain) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4449576/
To contact Emmanuelle: Les Lunettes Jaunes (Yellow Glasses) https://www.linkedin.com/company/les-lunettes-jaunes/posts/?feedView=articles&viewAsMember=true and https://www.facebook.com/people/Babel-tour/61557164720879/
Connecting people with songs: Instagram Babel Tour Sing with us: https://www.instagram.com/babel_tour_singwithus/
On today's People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Blair Turner, a leading road safety expert, discusses the Austroads guide "Facilitating Speed Management Change: Example Case Studies from Australia and New Zealand."
Drawing on his international experience and consultancy work, he unpacks key lessons from real-world examples, focusing on how to effectively implement speed reductions. The conversation explores the role of local governments, the importance of communication and community engagement, and how speed management links to broader outcomes like health, equity, and environmental sustainability. Turner highlights the practical strategies that make change possible—and the pitfalls to avoid.
The new Austroads document on speed case studies (https://austroads.gov.au/publications/road-safety/ap-t381-25)
The World Bank guide to speed management (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/publications/guide-safe-speeds-managing-traffic-speeds-save-lives-and-improve-livability)
The Speed management hub (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/speed-management-hub)The Guide to Mobility for Livable Pacific Cities (https://www.theprif.org/community-of-practice/15th-prif-community-practice-guide-mobility-for-livable-pacific-cities)
What if the real danger on our streets isn’t reckless drivers—but the people who designed them?
In this powerful People and Projects episode of The Streets and People Podcast, traffic engineer and author Wes Marshall joins the show to unpack the hard truths behind his provocative new book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer. With two decades of experience and a sabbatical spent studying global best practices—including time in Australia—Marshall invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about road safety.
Why do our roads still kill thousands each year, even as technology advances? Because, as Marshall reveals, many of our transportation systems are built on outdated assumptions, misaligned priorities, and silent values that prioritise speed over human life. And the worst part? We often blame the victim—labeling crashes as “accidents”—instead of fixing the systems that enable them.
This episode is a must-listen for city planners, engineers, elected officials, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why isn’t my street safe?” Marshall makes the complex accessible, using bite-sized chapters in his book and clear language in this interview to show how small changes—and smarter questions—can lead to life-saving results.
Whether you’re a professional or just passionate about safe streets, this conversation arms you with the insight and confidence to speak up, push back, and demand better. Because safe design isn’t a luxury—it’s a choice.
Where to buy Wes' excellent book new, used or ebook: https://booko.com.au/9781642833300/Killed-by-a-Traffic-Engineer-Shattering-the-Delusion-That-Science-Underlies-Our-Transportation-System
Check out Wes Marshall's website: Wes MarshallAnd on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wesmars.bsky.social
Why should we care about where we park? According toepidemiologist Michael Garber, the answer goes far beyond convenience. In his conversation with Wendy on this People and Projects episode on the Streets and People podcast, he reveals a surprising connection between parking policy and community health. Parking lots aren't just empty space, they contribute to the urban heat island effect, reduce green areas, increase flooding risk, and deepen car dependency. These design choices fuel air pollution, traffic injuries, inactivity, and even social isolation. Worse still, they hit vulnerable communities hardest, compounding inequity. Garber makes a compelling case: rethinking how we plan and price parking isn't just about urban design - it’s a public health intervention. If city leaders and individuals act with health in mind, we can build greener, safer, more equitable places for everyone.
Here's Michael's article, Parking & Public Health (open access): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40572-024-00465-4
If you'd like to know more about Michael, check out his website https://michaeldgarber.github.io
In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, we chat with Susan Leadbetter, a leader in gender-inclusive design and transport. Susan shares insights from her work with over 600 women across the UK, exploring how safety and accessibility shape public transport experiences, especially for women and marginalised communities. Susan provides practical solutions like better lighting, wayfinding, inclusive design from the start, and how collecting the right data can lead to better decisions. Susan also highlights the value of engaging underrepresented voices in planning and design, and how small changes can make a big difference.
Susan's White Paper Cultivating Inclusive and Green Transport
Recommended articles
We also discuss Marina Milosev’s episode and how her work connects with Susan’s
Why are pedestrians packed onto narrow footpaths while cars glide through wide, empty lanes? In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy speaks with Chris de Gruyter, researcher at RMIT's Centre for Urban Research, about why street space so often feels unfair—and what we can do about it.
Chris shares the simple but powerful story that sparked his work: watching foot traffic squeeze past a busy Malaysian restaurant while car lanes sat mostly empty. That moment led to a study of 60 shopping strips across Melbourne, where he found a pattern—people were crammed into a small fraction of street space, while vehicles were given far more than their share.
Traditional ways of measuring street use, Chris explains, often focus only on car flow. But people walking use space differently. He describes the new methods he developed that account for how people move, gather, and spend time, adjusting for space efficiency. His research shows that when you measure what's happening on the ground, the case for reallocating space becomes clear.
Chris and Wendy also talk about how local governments started using parklets and outdoor dining to rethink street design during COVID-19. They explore challenges like public resistance to losing parking spots, and how to tackle those barriers through better community engagement and smarter policy.
If you're wondering how we can make streets more vibrant and equitable—not just for drivers but for everyone—this conversation offers a hopeful, practical roadmap.
🎧 Listen in to hear why measuring time and presence on our streets might be the key to unlocking better places for us all.
Link to research paper that develops six measures of street space use: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692325000882
The research paper that compares street space allocation with street space use in Melbourne’s activity centres: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096669232200062X
The working paper that compares street space allocation with street space use for individual activity centres across Melbourne: https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/street-space-allocation-study-final-working-paper-september-2021.pdf
The Cities People Love article about street space allocation and use: https://citiespeoplelove.co/article/street-space-allocation-and-use-in-melbourne-s-activity-centres
We also mention these episodes:
James Reynolds on bike lane implementation https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e12-pp-james-reynolds-james-reynolds-on-what-it-really-takes-to-get-kids-riding/
Rod King on 30kph 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 on driving at 30kph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e53-ned-becky-shares-her-experiences-disliking-driving-at-30kph-to-finding-it-enjoyable/
Lisa Stafford on Trips Not Made https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e10-pp-lisa-stafford-on-transport-equity-why-trips-not-made-matter/
In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy hosts Professor Lynette Cheah, a sustainable transport expert from the University of the Sunshine Coast. They discuss Lynette’s research, which includes efficient and sustainable mobility, urban freight transport, and the environmental impact of electric vehicles, as well as current opportunities for PhD students.
The conversation also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in transport planning, the challenges and opportunities in making transport systems sustainable and equitable, and the role of community involvement in shaping transport policies. Lynette emphasises the need for practical, real-world applications of academic research to benefit communities both locally in Queensland and globally.
Find out more at the UniSC Sustainable Mobility Lab: https://sites.google.com/view/sustainablemobilitylab/home
And resources at the International Association of Public Transport: https://www.uitp.org/
We also chat about Robert Martin's Mobility Diet Tool: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e11-pp-robert-martin-how-the-mobility-diet-opens-up-curious-inclusive-conversations-about-how-we-move/
And Lisa Stafford's approach to Trips Not Made: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e10-pp-lisa-stafford-on-transport-equity-why-trips-not-made-matter/