2014 Sessions

In total, there were 24 fantastic TransportCamp sessions that were proposed during 'agenda setting'. You can take a look at the final agenda matrix.

Our amazing Guest Bloggers created a blog post for each unconference session.  Each post includes all the essential session details, links and a sumamary of all the key points of discussion.

Comments are enabled, so feel free to continue the conversation in the  post or contact the session leader directly.

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Data to Drive Decisions For Safer Cycling

Session coverage by guest blogger Ian Lo

Session Details 

Warwick Pattinson deep in discussion

Warwick Pattinson deep in discussion

  • Presented by Warwick Pattinson (LinkedIn)
  • Location: Room One
  • Time: Session #1 (11:00am - 11:35am)
  • Number of Attendees: 21
  • Format: Open discussion

Warwick is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne researching cycling.

 

Key points from the open discussion:

  • We need good data to drive decisions for safer cycling

  • Based on Copenhagen and Amsterdam

  • Opinion: there should not be a car-based city in the future

  • How can we use new mediums to propose ideas to politicians? Politicians are often not good leaders

  • Opinion by Oliver Lock: cycling safety - in the UK, there are maps created showing cycling accidents

    • enormous under-reporting of serious accidents involving cyclists

  • London: push for cycling by the upper levels of government - many leaders have started cycling

  • How do you convince Melbournians that cycling is a good idea?

  • Cycling in different parts of Greater Melbourne is totally different. Cycling is easy in inner Melbourne but in the middle suburbs, e.g. St Kilda, it’s not that friendly for cyclists

  • Opinion: need to break down that dichotomy - cyclists also drive, and drivers do cycle on certain days too! cyclists understand the situation of drivers too, because cyclists generally have driving experience too

  • Cycling as a recreational activity vs Cycling as a mode of transport

  • Attitudes towards cycling in Europe, the UK and Australia are different

  • University of Sydney research: wearing a helmet is detrimental to the spine, hence the health benefits of cycling are outweighed

  • Cycling as a form of commute - optimally distances between 2 to 7km. over 7km - too long

  • Most of Melbourne’s jobs are located in the CBD - highly centralised, unlike in European cities, which are small and have many jobs outside the CBD

  • Major review of cycling safety - need to change mindset - “I am a car driver, but on a few days, i choose to become a cyclist, but i still understand how it feels to drive. I can be both a cyclist and a driver”

  • Why is there so much data from organisations such as CrowdSpot, but the City of Melbourne and VicRoads etc. aren’t really utilising them?

  • Most cyclists face accidents within the first few months of cycling, but once they overcome it, it should be fine

  • Just like how it’s easier for kids to start cycling at a young age, it’s easier if people start commuting on bicycles at a younger age

  • AURIN - working on better access to cycling-related data, including crashes

  • Session 3 will be hosted by one of the participants currently in session 1 room 1 - about the  cycling grid in melbourne

  • Is the intersection dangerous? - can be measured by the no. of car accidents

  • Melbourne Bike Crash map - 5 years’ bike crashes from 2008-2013 - by Meead Saberi, Monash Uni City Science

    • atal accidents only happen at intersections - but what has been done to them

    • Despite the increase in no. of cyclists, the no. of accidents have remained relatively stable over the years

  • Bicycle Network Victoria, City of Melbourne and other LGAs have data collection tools too

  • e.g. La Trobe St - despite an increase in accidents, the no. of cyclists tripled

  • Gender difference - women are more likely to cycle in certain Melb suburbs than others

    • diversity of users - ethnicity, English proficiency