Melbourne Takes The Walk In Its Stride
The Age
Sunday March 29, 1992
Only last Friday, walking up the middle of Swanston Street wheeling a baby stroller would have been tantamount to infanticide. Yesterday the strollers were out in force, testing the limits of their new-found freedom from traffic in the new Swanston Walk.
But parents (and other pedestrians) should be aware that the street is still open to trams, taxis, bicyclists and delivery vehicles. Perhaps because of the unfamiliarity of the whole exercise, two elderly gentlemen came perilously close to a fast-moving tram while crossing at one set of lights. For the most part, pedestrians followed their instincts and stayed off the road.
Pedestrians at the Bourke and Swanston intersection are still wrestling with the ``Don't walk" dilemma. With the cars removed, should they still observe the flashing ``Don't walk" sign or boldly step out, thereby flouting the law?
A Melbourne City Council parking officer, who asked not to be named, said yesterday there had been very little confusion, but predicted that ``the real confusion" will start today. Parking officers will be adopting a more understanding attitude to drivers befuddled by changed traffic conditions. They will educate drivers as to the error of their ways without issuing tickets, for a limited time only.
Also reclaiming the road were two bicylists, Dorothy and Gary Thorpe, of Heidelberg. They are members of Bicycle Victoria and have been regular cyclists for five years, riding to work and into the Victoria Market to shop. Mr Thorpe said it was terrific to ride down Swanston Street ``without always looking over your shoulder". ``You see so much more," he said.
Jim and Judy Hicks were enjoying an al fresco meal in Melbourne's watery autumn sunshine. They had come into the city on a reconnaissance mission to look at both the walk and the Southgate project. After parking in the gardens and walking down, they had made their way to Flinders Street Station to check the new traffic signals. ``It's easier to see in slow motion than when you are driving," Mr Hicks said..
Both were pleasantly surprised by what they found, and felt that it would be good for the city, after the initial ``teething problems", as Mrs Hicks put it. ``I had the awful guilts walking up the middle of the road," she confessed. Mrs Hicks said outdoor eating could still be pleasant on fine days in winter, provided that diners were given protection from the wind.
© 1992 The Age