Strolling safely to school are Marcus and Vanessa Strohmeier with their children Josh, Stella and Jakob.
Camera IconStrolling safely to school are Marcus and Vanessa Strohmeier with their children Josh, Stella and Jakob. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Pedestrian protection important

Lauren Pilat, Eastern ReporterEastern Reporter

Mr Strohmeier, who has lived in the area 14 years, said making the neighbourhood safer for pedestrians would promote health, increase safety and help traffic congestion.

‘We need to increase the level of activity of all children and the adult population and walking to school is one part of that, the high obesity rates in Australia reflect the often sedentary lives we lead,’ he said.

‘I also see it as a safety issue ” there’s a tendency in Perth to think the car is king and not give way to pedestrians.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

‘I’ve seen cars that do not stop to allow children or children with adults to safely cross the road, particularly at school times.

‘This attitude needs to change, but in the interim we need to put in place other measures to assist pedestrian safety.’

Mr Strohmeier said crosswalks in strategic locations would facilitate safer pedestrian movements while sending the message to drivers that pedestrians had the right of way.

At the next City of Bayswater council meeting, Councillor Chris Cornish will move that the City incorporates a feasibility study of creating a pedestrian friendly zone bordered by King William Street, Whatley Crescent and Guildford and Garratt roads.

‘I see a number of possibilities ” naturally zebra crossings are one, another is raised crossings at roundabouts or other appropriate areas; much like the roundabout at Progress Street near the Galleria,’ the father-of-two said.

‘Another thought I had was to use different coloured asphalt around school zones.

‘You can now get different coloured roads such as red, which we currently use in some areas, and green and these make it clear that it’s a pedestrian friendly zone.

‘Everyone wants kids to be more active and safer crossings will hopefully achieve this.’