One in three Queenslanders avoid walking because it is too hot.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 2600 Queenslanders shared their thoughts on stepping out, which will inform a 10-year Queensland Walking Strategy, to be released later this year.
As part of an extensive consultation process, a survey revealed the factors that stopped people from walking were that it was too hot (35 per cent), places they liked to go were too far away (26 per cent) and they did not have enough time (22 per cent).
To get them walking more often, people wanted more connected paths, more shade, smooth and even surfaced paths and greater separation from traffic.
It echoes comments from outgoing South Bank Corporation chair Catherin Ball who last year said the walking experience in Brisbane was ugly, hot and left pedestrians exposed to traffic.
Almost one-third of the respondents said they would walk more if there were more seats along paths to take a rest, while one in four said they wanted more lighting and wider paths.
More than 80 per cent of people said they were motivated to walk for physical health reasons, while half said they enjoyed walking and found it relaxing, and because it was good for their mental health.
Almost half of the respondents were fans of active travel, saying they walked to get somewhere, such as work, school, shops or public transport.
Some Brisbane residents wanted to ban cars from more streets in the CBD, while several people called for more pedestrian bridges to be built, including from Toowong to West End, Kangaroo Point to Alice Street in the CBD and from New Farm.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said encouraging more people to walk was one of the simplest ways to keep people healthy.
"Governments have a role to play by providing facilities for people of all ages and abilities when they plan public spaces," he said.
"When we talk about walking, we mean jogging, running, and moving with the aid of a mobility device, such as a wheelchair or a walking frame."
Mr Bailey said the state government worked with councils to reduce speed limits and encourage pedestrian-friendly environments.
Feedback from pedestrians in Brisbane:
- "Pedestrian green man signals to stay green as long as possible in Brisbane CBD. Roma Street and Turbot is the worst, especially the pedestrian crossing on the north-west side near court buildings."
- "For exercise and to the shops: pedestrian and bike bridge from Toowong to West End."
- "Build the missing pedestrian bridge that was promised by BCC from Kangaroo Point to Alice Street, City."
- "More overhead coverage along inner-city walking routes to provide some level of protection from rain in and around the CBD."
- "Pedestrian bridges – particularly at the bottom of New Farm and/or other suburbs on the inner outskirts of Brisbane. If there was a pedestrian bridge I could walk to work (two kilometres) but because there is not, I have to take my car up and around the city and it's an 8-kilometre drive."
- "Reducing traffic in the Brisbane CBD – more carless streets!"
- "Better shade along the Riverwalk."
- "Consider changing some streets in the CBD to one-way only and using the spare road capacity for pedestrians/cyclists."
- "Water bubblers needed along walking routes."
- "Slower car speeds in the CBD, or roads changed to pedestrian malls like Albert Street, and others."
A Queensland Walking Summit will be held at the Queensland University of Technology on March 14, with about 100 representatives from walking, bike riding, health accessibility, academic and education organisations due to attend.
