We’re calling on all local governments to prioritise projects that enable walking and cycling

  • Calling on all local councils
Posted on by Walking SA

COVID-19 has created a huge increase in walking activity. Walking SA, together with BISA, Bike SA and the Heart Foundation, calls on all local governments to prioritise projects that enable walking and cycling.

During COVID-19, more people have chosen to be active every day in local neighbourhoods. Participation in walking and cycling has significantly increased. The provision of footpaths and safe crossings, open space and access to roads in our neighbourhoods is more important than ever. Walking SA encourages prioritisation of projects that enable active, safe and connected communities.

View statement (PDF)

The call

Letter from Walking SA, Heart Foundation, Bicycle Institute of South Australia and Bike SA.

11 May 2020

Dear Mayor, Councillors and CEO,

In these difficult and unprecedented times, we would like to congratulate you on your continued support of your community.

During COVID-19, more people are choosing to be active every day in local neighbourhoods. Participation in walking and cycling has significantly increased. The provision of footpaths and safe crossings, open space, and access to roads in our neighbourhoods are more important than ever.

We recognise that council budgets have been impacted both by a reduction in some forms of revenue, and by additional expenditure required due to the current situation. As you are re-assessing your budgets for the upcoming cycle, we encourage you to prioritise projects that enable active, safe, and connected communities.

We call on you for your commitment to:

  1. Shovel-ready walking and cycling projects. Increased budgets and commitment to delivering basic, safe and innovative walking infrastructure with construction and maintenance of: footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings and refuges, wider kerb ramps, signalised crossings with a shorter cycle and phasing to suit seniors, vision impaired, people with disabilities and children to safely cross the road
  2. Temporary street closures or shared zones to allow for people to safely walk and ride on local streets during COVID-19
  3. Slower designed streets and speed limit reduction for all people to walk and cycle safely
  4. Wider, connected and safe footpaths (which also allows for essential physical distancing)
  5. Better shading of all paths through tree planting and shading structures
  6. Local mixed used and multi-generational parks, playgrounds, nature play and green space that create community hubs and destinations within walking/cycling distance of homes
  7. Separated walking pathways from bicycles, e-bikes and e- scooters in high traffic or commuter routes
  8. Removal of slip lanes that cause unnecessary risk to walkers and riders, or an addition of zebra crossings until slip lanes have been removed
  9. Commitment to implement your local walking and cycling strategies, preferably integrated into an overall active transport and recreation strategy. Develop strategies if
  10. Liveable and active streets designed for all: children and our more vulnerable walking or wheeling residents
  11. Investment in walking programs (10,000 Steps, Heart Foundation Walking, parkrun and local bushwalking groups) through local funding, resources and supportive

We know how important a safe and healthy community is to you. Walking and cycling facilities are one of the lowest cost services that you can provide to your residents to improve their health and wellbeing, generate better community cohesion and create benefits for local business.

Thank you for your interest in supportive active communities. We would be happy to talk to you about how you can support our organisations and the localised active travel and recreation of neighbourhoods for your residents, businesses, and visitors.

For any further queries, contact Helen Donovan, Executive Director helen.donovan@walkingsa.org.au or 0457 006 620 on behalf of Walking SA, the Bicycle Institute of South Australia, Bike SA and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

On behalf of Walking SA, Heart Foundation, Bicycle Institute of South Australia and Bike SA.

Throughout October we're celebrating walking with WalktoberSA

Help us to add more trails to our list of walks

Posted on by Walking SA

We’re seeking info on just over 200 unlisted trails, so that we can expand our popular list of walks on our website. Currently with 630 walks listed around the state, it helps people to explore walking opportunities near them.

Remember during these Covid-19 times, you’ll need to follow social distancing and health measures, including any limitations on group size. Also note, whilst national parks and forests are open, some private locations remain closed at this time.

Trails we are seeking info on

We have a shortlist of 200 trails and walks we are seeking information on:

  1. view all walks on a map (200)
  2. or Doc #1: List of Bushwalks (143)
  3. or Doc #2: List of Suburban walks (43)
  4. or Doc #3: List of Historical walks (16)

Trails sorted by regions

You can view the same docs of trails we are seeking info on, but filtered by region:

Bushwalks (143) by regions:

Suburban walks (43) by regions:

To provide info on a trail

If you are interested to provide information for a trail, please let us know via the form below so we can update our spreadsheet to note that you are collecting information, so we can avoid multiple people doing the same work.

To add a marked trail or named trail (or a walk from our shortlist) to our website, please visit:
https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/submit-a-walk/

Before submitting your walk

Please ensure:

  • The walk is a named or marked trail, or one where directions are easy to follow
  • If the walk is not listed above on the trails we are seeking info on, then check that the walk is not already listed in our Find a Place to Walk directory
  • The walk is on public land (such as a reserve, park, pathway or beach). If the walk is on private land, that the landowner permits walking
  • The walk is in South Australia

Info we’re looking for on each trail

  • name of trail
  • brief description and the best thing about the trail
  • where to find maps
  • some photos
  • on some trails, some GPS data like a GPX file exported from a GPS device, smartphone or smartwatch (popular apps include Strava, or on iPhone myTracks or Open GPX Tracker, or on Andriod GPS Logger, or GPS Logger by BasicAirData)

Let us know you are going to provide information

If you are interested to provide information for a trail, please let us know via the form below so we can update our spreadsheet to note that you are collecting information, so we can avoid multiple people doing the same work.


Pedestrian safety in the Adelaide CBD – why are there no 25km/h school zones?

  • Analysis
Posted on by Walking SA

The area of the Adelaide CBD and road network within 200 metres of a school

Across South Australia zones around schools have a 25km/h limit within 200m of a school, marked with zig zag lines. Except in the CBD. Although there are more than 150 educational institutions here, you won’t see any zig zag lines or school zone signs.

The nine major schools in the CBD have been mapped, showing where the 200m zones would be. 20% of the City’s streets would be within school zones if they were anywhere else in the State.

It seems that we as a community have decided that it is so important to move traffic quickly on the City’s streets that normal safety standards protecting our children should not apply. And this is despite the City having by far the highest number of pedestrians being hit in the State. The most common time for pedestrian crashes are on weekdays and between 8-9am and 3-4pm, that is, when children are going to and from school.

If we are not to have 20% of our streets subject to 25km/h speed limits when school children are present, surely a broad 40km/h speed limit seems reasonable?

The Cars That Ate Mannum

  • A story from Gavin in Mannum
Posted on by Walking SA

This is a story similar in name, with some comparisons, to the Cars that demanded to behave how they chose in a 1974 Peter Weir movie.

We have lived in the River town of Mannum for 14 years and been part of the Heart Foundation Walking program since 2012. I walk the walk with my dog friend Minnie who demands an outing every morning. With the Heart Foundation Walkability Checklist in hand this story of observation and questions about regional infrastructure begins.

In Mannum there is a lack of sealed and level made walking paths along most streets to suit all ability walking. Many of the walking paths are of a granite or limestone gravel construction that are often rutted and angled. So pedestrians and mobility scooters are forced to use roads in competition with the cars.

A few things stand out on our daily walks here, the first being a lack of sealed and level made walking paths along most streets to suit all ability walking. Many of the walking paths about this town are of a granite or limestone gravel construction that are often rutted and angled. Pedestrians and mobility scooters in turn use the roads in competition with the Cars, a bad option, for a safer surface to navigate the town. Our Councillor, Steve Wilkinson, campaigned for footpath upgrades more than once in Council meetings. Sadly we lost Steve, our only footpath campaigner, when he was hit by a vehicle and killed while riding his bicycle on Hunter Road east of Mannum in April 2019.

In Mannum cars are often parked on the roadside paths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the street.

As for the Cars, they randomly park on our walking paths around the town, sometimes in small herds similar to the Peter Weir movie. For some reason Cars must be parked as close as possible to the entrance of houses to reduce the time wasted walking any distance. Is this a global phenomena to reduce any chance of enhancing personal fitness? Unfortunately very few infringements or re-education notices are directed towards the Cars That Ate Mannum so far, possibly to keep the Cars happy and because a complaint must be submitted.

A car parked across the footpath forces vulnerable people with a disability to leave the footpath

So often it is not until we wear the shoes of those afflicted with a disability that we can appreciate the failings of design and infrastructure like walking surface quality or path ramps that lead nowhere with the lack of a safe path to walk or use a mobility aid. I have asked many local residents what they think of our walking infrastructure with most responses from all age groups being uncomplimentary, the Cars as expected they do not care. Our statewide “Regional Development” funding is often seen as being for tourism hiking/biking trails, town beautification or business support. But do the needs of permanent residents of the regions by way of safe and accessible all ability township paths need to be treated as a priority with “Regional Development” plans?

The Cars will still care less about blocking walking paths and those that use them until one day the Cars driver needs to walk the walk for their health or is confined to using a mobility aid. Can the Cars be educated to be more people friendly on and off the roads?

Gavin Smith
A Mannum local resident

Walking SA response to Portrush and Magill Road Intersection Upgrade

  • Submission to DPTI
Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA strongly opposes the intersection upgrade at Portrush Rd and Magill Rd because:

  • DPTI (Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure) continues to focus on expensive road projects that offer short-term solutions
  • DPTI offers very little investment or focus on safer, greener, active transport options
  • It is irresponsible to acquire and demolish homes and businesses during a pandemic.
View our submission

Our Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

Posted on by Walking SA

Along with the rest of the community, Walking SA is concerned about and monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are thinking of you, your families and friends. The safety and health of our members, volunteers, supporters, staff and the South Australian community are our first priority – we are following the advice of health experts and government.

Can you go for a walk?

7 April 2020: During COVID-19 social distancing going for a walk in your neighbourhood or a nearby national park is OK, provided you are well, not in self isolation and follow social distancing guidelines. Find a trail near you for a short walk.

Walking SA activities

Further to increasing COVID-19 restrictions, please note that all Walking SA activities have been cancelled, postponed or have taken on a non-face-to-face format until the end of June 2020 or until further notice.

Walking SA administration and support is continuing remotely but the office at Marleston is now closed until further notice.

Advice to bushwalking and outdoors clubs

The Walking SA Board advises all bushwalking and outdoors clubs to:

For the future

We look forward to everyone resuming and enjoying bushwalking and outdoor activities when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Please get in touch if you need any additional information.

Walking SA and the Heart Foundation commend the upgrade to automated pedestrian crossings

  • Calling on Adelaide City Council
Posted on by Walking SA

The City of Adelaide recently automated signalised pedestrian crossings throughout the city in response to COVID-19. Research shows that automated pedestrian crossings lead to a significant reduction in vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and Walking SA and the Heart Foundation have received a lot of positive feedback from members of the public who are enjoying the results of this initiative.

Given the support of this ‘pilot’ implementation of automated signalised pedestrian crossings, the Heart Foundation and Walking SA call for the City of Adelaide to make this change permanent.

View statement (PDF)

The call

Letter from Walking SA and Heart Foundation.

7 April 2020

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor
City of Adelaide GPO Box 2252
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Dear Lord Mayor

Re: Successful implementation of automated pedestrian signalling

The Heart Foundation and Walking SA are the leading organisations in South Australian championing walking and active living for health, transport and recreation.

Our vision is to see more people walking more often.

We would like to commend the City of Adelaide on its recent automation of signalised pedestrian crossings throughout the city. Research shows that automated pedestrian crossings leads to a significant reduction in vehicle-pedestrian conflicts 1.

We have received positive feedback from members of the public who applaud your initiative in taking this action.

Not only does this automation prioritise the immediate community health concerns relating to COVID-19, it also shows a demonstrable priority for public health more generally by improving the experience of pedestrians. As the environment is improved for pedestrians, more people will choose to walk to their destinations.

Given the acceptance of this ‘pilot’ implementation of automated signalised pedestrian crossings, the Heart Foundation and Walking SA call for the City of Adelaide to make this change permanent.

Along with making this initiative permanent, we see an opportunity to alter signal timing to give pedestrians more walk time. For more information please see Walking SA’s position statement on improving pedestrian signal phasing – https://www.walkingsa.org.au/our-work/position- statements/the-green-man/

More people walking contributes to economic vitality, a carbon neutral state, reduces congestion, builds social cohesion, and promotes our state as a great place to visit and live. It also reduces burden on our health system by reducing individuals’ risk of chronic disease and promoting mental wellbeing.

If you would like further information please contact the Walking SA Executive Director at office@walkingsa.org.au.

Yours sincerely

Imelda Lynch
Chief Executive SA/NT
Heart Foundation 		Tuesday Udell
Chairperson
Walking SA
  1. Hughes, R., Huang, H., Zegeer, C., & Cynecki, M. (2000). Automated Detection of Pedestrians in Conjunction with Standard Pedestrian Push Buttons at Signalized Intersections. Transportation Research Record, 1705(1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.3141/1705-06 ↩

Park of the Month, Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, March 2020

Posted on by Walking SA

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for March 2020.

The gorge offers a variety of walking experiences. Escape the hustle and bustle of the nearby city and suburbs by venturing into Sturt Gorge, following the river or some of the higher trails. There are 19 marked trails in the park and adjacent Craigburn Farm Shared Trails network, with another half dozen in the adjacent Mitcham Trail Network (Zone 4, Blackwood Hill Reserve).

Most of these trails are linear or return trails, we’ve outlined two of the trails and four walking loop routes:

Walking Trails and Loops in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and Craigburn Farms Shared Trails network

Lake View Trail (Craigburn Farm)1.

Lake View Trail (Craigburn Farm)

1.2km, 30 mins, moderate hike

Walk suitable for prams and strollers Walk suitable for dog walking Trail shared by mountain bikers

Enjoy a stroll around the lake in the Craigburn Farms Shared Trails network in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Start from the trailhead on Bonython Way, Craigburn Farm, and follow the Lakeside Trail (marked with blue markers), walking downhill towards the lake, then following the loop around the lake.

Whilst we have displayed the pram-friendly icon, please note that it is a uphill on the return leg back to the trailhead.

It’s possible to get to the trailhead by public transport, by Adelaide Metro bus from Grand Boulevard, Craigburn Farm, which is a 1km walk east of the trailhead, or by Adelaide Metro train from Coromandel Railway Station, which is a 1.8km along pathways and some of trails in the Mitcham Trail Network.

View Walk

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We’ve contacted every local government in South Australia calling for national funding to improve walking paths and trails

  • Calling on all local councils
Posted on by Walking SA

As the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, Walking SA advocates for improvements to walking infrastructure at all levels.

Most recently, Walking SA contacted every local government in South Australia calling for national funding to improve walking paths and trails, through the National Assembly of Local Governments 2020. This action was undertaken in collaboration with our national counterparts in each state and territory, through Bushwalking Australia.

View our motion

The next stage of the Adelaide100 trail progresses

Posted on by Walking SA

We've launched a project website for the Adelaide100 trail at adelaide100.com.au

Officers from Campbelltown City Council join Walking SA to install the first Adelaide100 post at the bottom of Black Hill. From L-R: Jim McLean (L), Walking SA Adelaide100 project; Tracey Johnstone, Rob Johnstone and Walter Iasiello from Campbelltown City Council, and Helen Donovan, Walking SA Executive Director

Walking SA is currently engaged in negotiating with fourteen property stakeholders along the 100 plus km route of the new walking trail the Adelaide100. Local government of the north eastern suburbs immediately recognised the worth of the project. The Campbelltown City Council, the City of Tea Tree Gully and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield quickly committed support and resources to the portions of the trail traversing their regions.

This is a 10.5km section to add to the 1.6km start at Norton Summit. As this story is posted the marking with 32 post and signs of the Campbelltown City Council portion has been completed. The portions in the City of Tea Tree Gully and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

As with Norton Summit it is a great walk on its own so be one of the first to have a go when it is finished. Start at the Black Hill Wildflower Garden in Addison Avenue. Traverse local parks and reserves, wind your way along Fifth Creek, follow the River Torrens Linear Park to Lochiel Park Golf Course and enjoy a baguette and coffee at Bunker Cafe.

Walking Trails to enjoy on Kangaroo Island, supporting the KI community post-bushfire

Posted on by Walking SA

Are you looking for ways to support the Kangaroo Island community after the devastating January bushfires? Head to the island and enjoy one of the many walks that are confirmed as still open! From the pleasant 1km Beyeria Walk to the 4km Ironstone Hill Hike and 4km Fish Cannery Walking Trail, there are plenty of options to explore the island on foot.

Check out the full list below.

List created 5th February 2020. We’ll be updating the list as walking trails re-open.

13 Walks and Trails unaffected by the 2020 Kangaroo Island Bushfires

Ironstone Hill Hike1.

From Penneshaw: Ironstone Hill Hike, Baudin Conservation Park

4.2km, 1.5 hours return

Follow the start of the original bullock track to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, with spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to the Fleurieu Peninsula.

View Walk

Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail2.

In Penneshaw: Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail

1.5km, 30 min loop

Wander along the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail through the stunning trail built in a remarkable natural environment, located in the heart of the coastal village of Penneshaw. Explore the many surprises, scenic lookouts, ancient vegetation and the stunning ravine walls. Look for the ancient ghost tree, the resident kangaroos and wallabies, or just pause and reflect on one of the beautiful seats crafted from reclaimed timber from the Penneshaw jetty. The trail is an easy 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal at Penneshaw. The new trail was opened in 2018.

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Park of the Month, Onkaparinga River Parks, February 2020

Posted on by Walking SA

Onkaparinga River National Park and Onkaparinga River Recreation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for February 2020. Join one of the events held in the parks throughout the month.

In the National Park diverse hiking trails take you to cliff tops with magnificent views, or down to permanent rock pools teeming with life. Experience rugged ridge tops and the narrow river valley of the spectacular Onkaparinga Gorge.

In the Recreation Park, the river spills onto the plains, creating wetland ponds and flood plains. The area conserves important fish breeding habitat and hundreds of native plant and animal species, many of which are rare.

You can walk your dog in the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, between South Road and Commercial Road. You must keep your dog on a lead and under your control at all times. Pets are not permitted in other areas of the park.

16 Great Hikes and Trails in Onkaparinga River National Park and Recreation Park

Punchbowl Lookout Walk1.

Punchbowl Lookout Walk

2km, 1 hour return, Moderate Walk

Walk suitable for prams and strollers Walk suitable for those with mobility issues including wheelchairs Trail shared by mountain bikers

A new trail opened in Spring 2017. The one kilometre Accessible trail visits a new lookout above The Punchbowl, where you can see spectacular views into the Onkaparinga Gorge. The trail is a consistent one metre wide and made of compacted gravel, and with gentle contoured gradients, so as such is suitable for those with mobility access issues, including wheelchairs and prams. There is some seating mid-way along the trail.

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Slow down on Hindley Street safer for everyone

Posted on by Walking SA

Here at Walking SA we commend the City of Adelaide for taking action to protect the tens of thousands of residents and visitors that visit Hindley Street each week, by lowering the speed to 30km/h. Average speeds were measured as between 20km/h and 27km/h anyway.

A recent report shows the majority of ‘hit pedestrian’ casualty crashes occurs in Adelaide city centre, where for the 5-year monitoring period there were 222 casualty crashes. Around 26% of these casualty crashes were either serious or fatal.

Many of these crashes are completely avoidable or could be reduced in severity by slowing down vehicles to 30 km/h where there is high pedestrian activity.

Hindley Street West has had a trial 30km/h speed limit in place since April 2015 and has resulted in a safer environment for everyone.

Back in 2018 we got in touch with the Lord Mayor of Adelaide calling for lower speed limits in Hindley Street and other areas in the CBD where there is high pedestrian activity, so it’s good to see the new 30km/h limit in place.

Is it pedestrians or drivers who need to give way?

Posted on by Walking SA

If you are walking across a road that a driver is entering or leaving, do you know who has to give way?  Perhaps it’s a good thing if you don’t and are hesitant, because if you a confident that you do know, you could be wrong.

It probably won’t surprise you that a 2006 study found that in 20% of cases, both the pedestrian and the driver thought that they had the right of way.  We can only hope that they don’t both enter the intersection at the same time.

We are gratified to see that the State Government is removing left turn slip lanes in areas with lots of people walking, because too many drivers think that they have the right of way, when they don’t.

It doesn’t help that on this question, states often go their own way, with different rules in different parts of the country.

The South Australian Road Rules (Rule 353) say that, at an unsignalized intersection, the driver turning to enter into a road that a pedestrian is crossing has to give way to the pedestrian.  But if the driver is leaving the road that the pedestrian is crossing, it is the driver who has right of way.  If you think this is bizarre when the pedestrian is walking across the side street of an arterial road, we agree with you!

A recent article in The Conversation argues that the road rules should be amended to require drivers to give way to pedestrians at all intersections, with those that don’t have signals to be legally treated as if they were marked pedestrian crossings. “We should think of these intersections as spaces where vehicles cross an implicit continuous footpath, rather than as places where people cross a vehicular lane.”

The images below show how the intersection of The Parade and Edward Street looks now, and how it looks in the proposed Masterplan.

The images below show how the intersection of The Parade and Edward Street looks now, and how it looks in the proposed Masterplan

The proposal would embolden a pedestrian crossing Edward Street.  Hopefully a motorist turning left into the Parade wouldn’t try to assert their legal right of way.

One comforting thought is that, no matter where you are in the country, a motorist has a duty of care and must stop for any pedestrians who are already crossing the road.