Mercury: a good read.

Willow Brookspan

— 2 min read
Mercury: a good read.
Our Community Followers at the Mercury Media Event

We are absolutely thrilled to have been featured in The Mercury today! The article shines a spotlight on Streets People Love Hobart, our passionate community group advocating for safer, more inclusive, and sustainable streets in our city.

The story highlights our support for the Hobart City Council’s proposal to trial separated bike lanes on Collins Street. Despite some opposition from parts of the business community, we’re rallying together a growing group of residents who are excited about the positive impact this project can have for everyone.

A Growing Movement

Since launching just last month, Streets People Love Hobart has gathered momentum. This groundswell of support shows the strong desire for change in Hobart, moving toward a city that prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, and accessible transport options.

As our co-ordinator Mark Donnellon shared with The Mercury:

“Hobart has a long history of being developed around the car being the main transport mode. We’d like to see more options—not just bikes but also better public transport for residents of Greater Hobart.”

A Vision for Everyone

Our group isn’t just about bikes. We’re advocating for:

  • Better pedestrian infrastructure for safer and more enjoyable walking.
  • Accessibility improvements for people with mobility challenges.
  • Public transport enhancements to make getting around Hobart easier for everyone.
Alan Butler, Anna Johnston, Mark Donnellon, Olivia Kay with daughter Caroline, 10 months, Lucie Johnston, who are members of the new Streets People Love Hobart group, which has been formed to advocate for greater pedestrian, cyclist, and public transport infrastructure and services. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

As Dr. Anna Johnston pointed out:

“Research shows that putting in this type of infrastructure makes it safer for everybody, even people driving their cars. It’s not about excluding anyone—it’s about giving people more choices.”

We also love showcasing the diversity of our community. From Alan Butler, a wheelchair user, to families using cargo bikes, prams, and e-bikes, we’re proving that inclusive streets benefit everyone.

Community Support

We’re proud to have local businesses backing our cause, These supporters are helping us spread the word by offering free stickers featuring our mascot, Perci the Platypus, who rides a bicycle. Check out the logos on our home page for more info on each business.

Join Us!

Want to meet the team and learn more about Streets People Love Hobart? Come along to our barbecue meet-up at South Hobart Playground at 4 PM on Sunday, January 19.

Together, we can make Hobart’s streets safer, more sustainable, and more enjoyable for everyone. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Thank you, The Mercury, for helping us share our story and inspire action for the Hobart we all love.

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