The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is calling on the Australian Government to prioritise active travel and public transport infrastructure in new housing developments to reduce road trauma and improve public health.
With Australia’s growing population and housing expansion, it is critical that road safety is embedded into urban planning from the outset. Research shows that well-designed communities with integrated active travel and public transport infrastructure—such as safe walking and cycling paths—significantly reduce road crash risks, promote healthier lifestyles, and enhance mobility options for all road users.
To prevent road trauma and support a sustainable transport future, ACRS urges the Government to ensure that all new housing developments:
- Connect to safe active travel networks, including well-designed walking and cycling paths that are physically separated from vehicle traffic.
- Ensure access to efficient, reliable, accessible, affordable, and convenient public transport, reducing dependence on private vehicles and lowering crash risks.
- Implement safe road designs that accommodate increased traffic volumes while prioritising safety for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
ACRS CEO Dr Ingrid Johnston emphasised the need for proactive planning, “Urban design directly influences how people move through their communities and has a profound impact on road safety. Research consistently shows that well-planned active travel infrastructure leads to lower road trauma rates by reducing conflicts between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. This is a critical opportunity to integrate road safety into the fabric of new housing developments.”
A growing body of research supports the benefits of active travel and public transport infrastructure with the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 identifying the need for safer urban design, including lower speed limits and separated active transport infrastructure, to protect vulnerable road users (Office of Road Safety, 2021).
Beyond safety, active travel reduces obesity, cardiovascular disease, and air pollution (AIHW). The Climate Council highlights that increased walking and cycling cut transport emissions and improves air quality (Climate Council, 2024).
“Urban design directly impacts road safety. Prioritising active travel and public transport in new developments is a proven way to prevent fatalities and serious injuries,” said ACRS CEO Dr Ingrid Johnston.
ACRS urges governments to act now – integrating road safety, public health, and sustainability into every new housing development – through prioritising active travel and public transport.
Additional information
- ACRS 2025 Australian Federal Election Policy Platform.
- A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that investments in safe walking and cycling infrastructure reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities while encouraging active transport (WHO, 2022).
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the benefits of public transport as a safer and more efficient mode of travel.
- The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) highlights that urban areas with comprehensive cycling and pedestrian networks see a reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by up to 50% (ETSC, 2021).
- Evidence from cities that prioritise active travel, such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, shows that increasing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure leads to fewer traffic fatalities and serious injuries (Pucher & Buehler, 2017).