Creative minds are being called upon to help launch a new road and pedestrian safety campaign in Byford.
Seven winning community-designed adhesive decals will be installed on footpaths at major intersection points between motorists, pedestrians and bike riders in the growing town.
Activate Byford is spearheading the competition with the intent of making Byford’s main streets more people-friendly.
The group was successful in their bid for a $10,000 RAC grant which will be used to fund the project, and the Byford and Districts Country Club has generously donated family meal vouchers as prizes for winning entries.
The local association is seeking original contributions from both school students and residents to design eye-catching 60x60cm square decals.
The group is looking for bright colours, cartoon drawings or images encouraging positive driver, pedestrian and cyclist behaviour.
Activate Byford facilitator Richard Lane said the winning designs will communicate the messages in a polite but fun way “as if encouraging a friend to cross the road safely”.
Artwork should be no larger than A3 size, and submitted as a PDF.
The last entries will be accepted on March 22, and the winners notified on May 10, before the designs are installed as part of National Road Safety Week in May.
Activate Byford was formed in 2020 as part of the broader Town Teams movement – which focusses on placemaking using an inclusive and collaborative approach.
Mr Lane said there was an identified need to foster community cohesion during a period of rapid urban growth for the area.
The group has chosen to use art and craft as a vehicle to encourage social involvement and connection, with the footpath decal project the third such initiative Activate Byford has rolled out, after the success of Byford Pictures and the Artisan Market.
Mr Lane said the footpath decals will be the ‘first step’ to promoting road safety in the town.
“I know this won’t solve all problems at once, but it will hopefully raise some awareness, and who knows what will develop from there?” he said.
Hand-drawn and digital entries can be sent through to byfordactiv8@gmail.com
