Why do our streets belong to cars? It wasn’t always this way—and it wasn’t an accident.

In this eye-opening episode of Get Around Caboolture, we’rejoined by Professor Peter Norton, historian and author of Fighting Traffic, to uncover the shocking truth about how car dependence was engineered—not by public demand, but by powerful industries, clever language, and forgotten protests.

What You’ll Discover:

✅ The Great Street Heist: How a 1920s Los Angeles ordinance (written by a car dealer!) stole streets from pedestrians—and why Australia followed suit.
✅ The Language of Control: Why we call crashes "accidents" and pedestrians "jaywalkers"—and how these words shape who we blame.
✅ The Forgotten Rebels: The mothers and women who blocked streets with prams to demand safety—and why their story was erased from history.
✅The Next Scam? Why autonomous vehicles might just be car dependence 2.0—and what we’re missing in the rush for "progress."

Why This Matters for Caboolture (and Everywhere Else)

Peter Norton doesn’t just explain history—he hands you the blueprint to question it. And once you hear this, you’ll never look at a street the same way again.

🎧 Listen now to uncover the hidden forces shaping our cities—and what we can do to take our streets back.

Follow Get Around Caboolture for more conversations on walkable, liveable communities—because the future of transport isn’t just about cars. It’s about people.

#CarDependence #UrbanHistory #WalkableCities#TransportJustice

Lessons for a Better Transport Future with Peter Norton |Thursday 19 June 2025, TPA (formerly AITPM) https://youtu.be/OcRuf7gMAFo?si=9I1wUmDWDavufePg

Find Peter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdnorton/

On BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/norton.bsky.social

On Facebook (recommended!) https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033858551663

At work https://engineering.virginia.edu/faculty/peter-norton

Check out our website for more info: https://getaroundcaboolture.au/car-dependence-captive-driver-history/

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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How can we design public transport networks that truly serve communities? In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy chats with Nicolas Reid, transport planner and author of Transit by Design: A Practical Guide to Planning Public Transport That Works. Nicolas shares his journey from commuting across Auckland’s Harbour Bridge to shaping transport systems in Berlin and beyond.

Discover how to avoid the "mode first" trap, and why accessibility—like safe crossings and bike integration—is key. Nicolas also dives into the limits of transport modelling and offers actionable advice for politicians, councillors, and communities advocating for better transport.

Whether you’re a transport enthusiast, a local leader, or just curious about how to make your suburb more connected, this conversation is packed with practical insights. Listen now to learn how thoughtful public transport design can transform daily life!

On LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasreid and at MR Cagney https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrcagney)

Buy it! Transit by Design: A practical guide to planning public transport that works (https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GRPZ4VHD)

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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Keywords: public transport design, buses, transport planning, accessibility, Nicolas Reid, Transit by Design, Caboolture, sustainable transport.

Queensland’s proposed eBike laws could strip away the independence of thousands of disabled riders including children with cerebral palsy, elderly cyclists, and people with mobility challenges.

In this urgent episode, Andrea Herklots, co-founder of EveryBody eBikes (formerly Blind Freddy eBikes), joins us to expose how these laws threaten eBikes for disabled riders and what you can do to help.

Andrea shares powerful stories of how adaptive eBikes transform lives but new regulations, like a 10 km/h speed limit, licensing requirements, and European compliance standards, could ban these lifelines overnight.

Learn why these laws are flawed, how they’ll hurt vulnerable communities, and how to submit your story before 10 April to fight back. This isn’t just about bikes. It’s about human rights

Community Advocacy: How to Fight for eBikes for Disabled RidersAndrea urges the community to take action before the April 10 deadline:

Submit Your Story
The government is accepting submissions until 10 AM on 10 April. Personal stories are the most powerful way to show the impact of these laws. Politicians need to hear how the legislation will hurt real people.

Contact Your Local MP
Explain how eBikes help you or your loved ones, and ask your MP if they will fight for eBikes for disabled riders.

Share on Social Media
Use the hashtag #EBikesForDisabledRiders to raise awareness. Tag Queensland politicians and disability advocates to amplify your message.

Support EveryBody eBikes: The Home of Inclusive Cycling
Andrea is collecting case studies to include in her submission. You can share your story by contacting https://everybodyebikes.com.au/ or 0409 126 669

What You Can Do: Submit, Share, and Speak Up

Write Your Submission
Keep your submission short and personal. For example:
“My son has cerebral palsy. His eBike lets him ride with his friends. The new laws will take that away. Please protect eBikes for disabled riders.”

Include your name, suburb, and contact details, as these are required for official submissions.

Write your submission
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=272&id=8575

The current legislation

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/bicycle https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/personal-mobility-devices

Spread the Word
Share this article with your network and talk to your local bike shop, disability group, or community organization to rally support.

Conclusion: Protecting the Right to Ride

Queensland’s proposed EBike laws are a direct threat to disabled riders. For thousands of people, eBikes and eTrikes are not just a form of transport. They represent freedom, therapy, and connection to the community.

Andrea Herklots and EveryBody eBikes are leading the fight to protect these essential mobility tools, but they need your voice. Submit your story, contact your MP, and stand up for eBikes for disabled riders.

As Andrea says, “This isn’t about bikes. It’s about human rights. Everyone deserves the chance to ride.”

Podcast theme music: Doctor Yes | Yari | Bensound

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