Cycling advocacy group Pedal Power ACT has a petition, Safe Streets for All, calling on the ACT Government to provide better infrastructure for cyclists and other vulnerable road users around Cook and Macquarie.

Pedal Power claims that the ACT Government has rejected residents’ requests for slower speed limits, more crossings around Jamison Shops and Jamison High school, and disability-friendly access for those in nearby apartments so that they can access the shops.

“Government has once again put the needs of cars ahead [of those] of people,” the petition states.

The ACT Government states that this claim is baseless.

John Barlow, a blind man, has lived in Cook for 12 years. He crosses Redfern Street daily to reach the bus stop, the Jamison Plaza shops, and the gym – but he finds it increasingly difficult to cross the street. Crossing this road without a traffic light is dangerous both for him and for his guide dog.

“My guide dog Jazzy has been my eyes for the past nine years, and recently retired in December 2023, because she was unable to cross the streets around Cook and Macquarie safely,” Mr Barlow said.

“With Jazzy’s recent retirement, I have welcomed a new guide dog, Luigi. We are currently training Luigi to navigate the roads around Jamison so that I can keep my independence. However, the issue of increased traffic from a growing community has made things difficult, not only for me but [for] the local school and elderly in the area.”

“Despite raising ongoing concerns about this situation, the ACT Government has rejected repeated requests from John and Luigi to build pedestrian crossings in the area to make their journey safer,” Pedal Power executive director Dr Simon Copland said.

The petition is backed by Jo Clay MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport, Active Travel, and Road Safety.

“I’ve heard from locals like John about how hard it is to walk to and from Jamison,” Ms Clay said. “We need calmer streets, better paths, and more crossings to help more people move easily. That’s why we’re asking the ACT Government to prioritise community safety around Jamison so our streets work for everyone.”

The petition asks the government to upgrade the C5 cycle path through Macquarie and Cook; construct raised pedestrian crossings along the C5 cycle route at Catchpole Street, Redfern Street, and Lyttleton Crescent; reduce speed limits on Redfern Street and Lyttleton Crescent; and analyse travel needs around the Jamison shops and catchment.

The petition welcomed the government’s decision to construct raised pedestrian crossings on the eastern side of Bowman Street to improve pedestrian access in the area.  

“However, while these improvements are welcome, they do not address large scale concerns in the area,” Dr Copland said.

Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for City Services, said that Pedal Power’s claim that the Government had rejected requests for improved pedestrian and active travel infrastructure around the Jamison Centre was baseless.

The government had improved pedestrian facilities near the Jamison Centre and Canberra High School in Macquarie, based on feedback from the community calling for improved pedestrian crossing opportunities in and around the Jamison Group Centre, Ms Cheyne said.

These improvements included a new pedestrian crossing across Bowman Street near Wiseman Street north, connecting Canberra High School to the Jamison Centre; two new raised pedestrian crossings across Bowman Street near the YMCA Early Learning Centre; and a new refuge island and footpath and kerb improvements at the intersection of Bowman Street and Redfern Street.

“These four new crossings will support not only members of the community in accessing key facilities and the shopping centre but also students travelling to and from the Canberra High School,” Ms Cheyne said.

The government had made “record” investments in active travel, spending more than $94 million across the budget and forward estimates on active travel. This included $29.5 million in funding in the 2023-24 ACT Budget, and a further $4 million in the 2023-24 ACT Budget Review in partnership with the Australian Government.

Earlier this month, the government released the Active Travel Plan 2024-30.

“The Plan is our blueprint for building a connected, safe and convenient active travel network,” Ms Cheyne said. “It outlines ways to make it safer, more accessible, convenient and enjoyable to choose walking, cycling or micromobility – whether for transport, recreation or social activities. The Active Travel Plan and Design Guide outlines our vision to encourage more Canberrans to walk and ride more often across our extensive path network.

“The first priority in the Plan is safe infrastructure for walking and riding. This was supported by the community as a fundamental barrier to getting more people active, walking and riding in Canberra. The Plan prioritises key walking areas and outlines Canberra’s future cycling network. Other actions include providing more secure bike parking and a range of targeted programs to encourage people to use active travel and public transport more often.

“Together, the Active Travel Plan and Design Guide will support the design and prioritisation of our city’s walking and riding infrastructure and programs.”

Pedal Power ACT, however, has said that without timelines, budget, or targets, the Travel Action Plan seemed little more than a wish list the Government did not seem committed to actually implementing.