Less car, more connections!
Distance travelled in the milliseconds
Right is a chart that shows you just how many meters you travel every second, 3 seconds and 30 seconds. If you take your eyes off the road for just 3 seconds at 60kph that’s 50 meters.
Focused and alert
Ideally you want to be looking ahead and seeing EVERYTHING while you are focusing on one specific hazard. Your peripheral vision needs to wide and open.
Tunnel vision
Tunnel vision is DANGEROUS and happens the more relaxed we are. Sadly this happens all too often on familiar routes, especially as you get closer to home.
You’re relaxed, you know the roads, you feel safe, secure and comfortable as you’re driving and your eyes start relaxing and taking in less and less information. All it needs is one thing out of place and this could become a terrible mess!
So what can we do to avoid this?
Eye moving
Keep your eyes moving, don’t allow them to settle on any object for more than 2 seconds unless it is presenting as a danger; and don’t forget to check your MIRROR regularly as well.
Move your eyes from one hazard to the next, scanning from one side to the other and back again. Be purposeful to look for traffic & speed signs and things hidden behind other obstacles.
See it all!
Mentally tag each and every hazard you see. A hazard is anything that COULD affect your driving; a speed sign will effect the speed you and the traffic around you are traveling at and so is a hazard. Once you’ve tagged it and processed what it means move on to the next one, then the next and the next. Once you’ve covered them all scan back and tag them all again.
What this does is puts them clearly in your subconscious which will naturally track them. Anything out of the ordinary will grab your attention extremely quickly when you do this. You can assist this process initially by simply pointing to each hazard you see, make it a game for yourself & don’t forget to regularly check the mirror.
The information above comes from www.ucandrive.com.au/index.php/learner/ad-obs
Shift modes
- Reduce the number of trips you take by sharing trips, combining trips, and planning in advance.
- Switch some trips you would normally take by car to a different mode. Can you walk or roll instead of driving? Can you take the bus? Even though it will take longer, yuo can enjoy the time and read your kid a book!
- Remember the school drop-off paradox. When ou choose to drive, you make it more dangerous and less comfortable for other kids to access school or activities without a car. Consider how parents and caregivers who can’t drive get to the activities you take your child to. Is there a nearby bus stop? Is there a well-lit footpath? Is there bike parking?
- See below for more ideas.
Treat the footpath like a highway
- Keep the footpath in front of your home or business clear of wheelie bins or cars.
- If you use bikes or scootes and you need to park on the footpath, make sure not to block the kerb and your parking job isn’t making the footpath too narrow for someone in a mobility scooter to get through.
- Report broken footpaths through SnapSendSolve to be repaired.
- When around people walking, slow down just in case they don’t hear you coming.
Plan for the future
- If you’re a parent or caregiver, use public transport! Maybe you live where you can incorporate public tranport tips into your daily or weekly schedule or when going to the city. Either way, it’s important to teach kids to use public transport and to navigate places walking or rolling.
- Vote for levies or other tax measures to increase funding for footpaths and public transport. Vote for politicians who will support these investments.
Adapted from When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency by Anna Letitia Zivarts.
Here are other ideas to consider.
How often are your trips within 5km of home?
- If most of your trips are just around the corner, an eBike could be the perfect fit for you. Picture yourself gliding smoothly through the streets, feeling the breeze as you move effortlessly from place to place. When buying an eBike, it’s best to visit a local bike shop. Unlike supermarkets and chain stores, bike shops can provide you with spare parts, batteries, and expert repairs when you need them. Many bike shops might attempt to fix a bike, but if the quality isn’t there from the start—often the case with cheaper options—it can be hard to get it right.
- If you’re thinking of buying a second-hand eBike, perhaps from Facebook Marketplace, make sure you check that it’s not stolen. Also, when replacing batteries, stick with the same brand. A mismatched battery might not only fail to work properly but could also be a fire hazard.
- Please remember, safety first! Avoid riding bikes or scooters at high speeds, as the footpath infrastructure isn’t the best, and the rules for where you can ride scooters aren’t always clear. On the Streets and People podcast, you can find all the road rules for bikes, scooters, wheelchairs and pedestrians.
- Scooters and eScooters can also be fantastic for short trips, but keep in mind they’re less stable than bikes. When buying a scooter, ensure it’s not stolen and that the battery matches the original brand—unmatched batteries are more likely to catch fire.
Do you need a car around once a month?
- If you only need a car once in a while, imagine the freedom of ditching parking hassles and saving money by using a car-sharing service like UberCarShare. Picture a car waiting just around the corner, ready whenever you need it, without the burden of ownership.
- Renting a car based on your specific needs adds even more flexibility to your life. Moving house? Rent a van and easily load up all your belongings. Planning a day trip? Opt for a small car that’s perfect for the journey.
- While the cost per trip might seem higher, you’ll actually be spending less overall since you’re driving fewer times. This way, you’re not only freeing up your budget but also freeing yourself from the worries of car maintenance and parking.
Save the hassle of going to shops
- Save time and enjoy the convenience of having your groceries and store items delivered right to your doorstep. Picture yourself effortlessly browsing online, clicking to order, and then sitting back as your items make their way to you without you lifting a finger.
- For deliveries, local couriers could offer great value – imagine sending a small box from Brisbane to Caboolture for just $13. Need something else delivered? Post a job on local job tasker websites, and let someone else take care of it.
- You could even ask a neighbour to collect items for you when needed. Find a price that works for both of you, and enjoy the extra time you save while building a sense of community.
How much is your car costing you in personal finances?
When you compare the average cost of a car in Queensland with a top-of-the-range cargo eBike, you’ll really start to see the difference in your finances. Imagine the sound of your budget breathing easier as you swap those hefty car expenses for something far more manageable.
Daily Costs
- Car: You’re spending about $109.43 every single day.
- Cargo eBike: Just $17.26 a day.
That’s a daily saving of $92.17 – think of what you could do with that extra money each day.
Weekly Costs
- Car: Each week, you’re shelling out $768.13.
- Cargo eBike: A mere $121.15.
You could save $646.98 every week, freeing up your budget for the things you truly enjoy.
Monthly Costs
- Car: Your car costs you around $3,328.58 every month.
- Cargo eBike: Just $525.00 a month.
That’s $2,803.58 saved each month – imagine what that extra space in your wallet could mean for you.
Yearly Costs
- Car: Annually, you’re pouring $39,943 into your car.
- Cargo eBike: Only $6,300 per year.
You could save a massive $33,643 every year – think of the freedom that would bring.
Over a Decade
- Car: Over ten years, your car will cost you $399,430.
- Cargo eBike: Just $9,000.
That’s a staggering $390,430 saved over a decade – picture the possibilities when you have that kind of financial freedom.
Switching to a cargo eBike doesn’t just save you money – it creates space in your life for the things that truly matter. Every dollar you save is more freedom, more room in your garage, and more peace of mind.
Note: 2024 figures.
Cutting insurance costs
A smarter transport solution: Kei trucks
Kei trucks, common in Japan, offer a practical way to lower transport costs, save space, and improve safety. Compact and efficient, these vehicles measure a maximum of 3.4 metres long, 1.48 metres wide, and 2.0 metres high, making them easy to park and store. They consume less fuel, achieving between 12.8 and 17.0 km/L, and are cheaper to maintain. By cutting transport costs, Kei trucks free up funds that can go toward stable housing.
For comparison, the popular Toyota Hilux is around 5.32 metres long, 1.85 metres wide, and 1.81 metres high, with fuel efficiency averaging 9.0 to 10.5 km/L. Kei trucks take up 35% less space, allowing two Kei trucks to fit in the space of one Hilux.
Space and safety benefits
Kei trucks aren’t just cost-efficient – they’re safer. Their smaller size and mass reduce the risk of fatal collisions. Larger vehicles, especially those with bull bars, double the likelihood of pedestrian fatalities (infrastructure.gov.au). Using Kei trucks could lower this risk while freeing up parking spaces that could be repurposed for housing or safer communal areas.
The ripple effect of transport costs
Vehicle crashes often lead to emotional, physical, and financial strain, contributing to job loss and housing instability. By lowering collision risks and transport costs, Kei trucks can help protect jobs and homes.
Proof from Japan: a working solution
Japan’s adoption of Kei trucks has helped small businesses thrive and eased urban infrastructure demands. Their practicality has been proven in tight suburban spaces, where they’ve saved families and tradespeople thousands in annual transport costs (capitalone.com).
A surprising safety comparison
Some view Kei trucks as less safe than larger vehicles, but the numbers tell a different story. Heavy vehicles, such as utes and SUVs, are responsible for a disproportionate number of pedestrian fatalities in Australia. In 2023, Queensland recorded 23 pedestrian deaths, many involving larger vehicles. Kei trucks are smaller, lighter, and less likely to cause fatal injuries in crashes, making them a safer and more affordable alternative.
Take action
If you want to help make Kei trucks legally available in Australia, please contact us to explore how we can work together. Reach out to us to learn more.
