Matthew Mclaughlin – The Conversation

Darren England/AAP

March 17, 2026

Australia’s new physical activity guidelines won’t shift the needle – here are 4 better ideas

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia; Jo Salmon, Deakin University, and Peter McCue, UNSW

For the first time in more than a decade, Australia has new physical activity guidelines. They’re commendable but unlikely to get us more active.

Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock

February 3, 2025

Australia spends $714 per person on roads every year – but just 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia; Grant Ennis, Monash University, and Peter McCue, UNSW

Walking and cycling get 90c per person each year from the Australian government. What if that figure rose to $5, $10 or $15?

Matthew Mclaughlin

May 6, 2024

Hundreds of cities have achieved zero road deaths in a year. Here’s how they did it

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia and Chris De Gruyter, RMIT University

The number of deaths on Australian roads has been increasing steadily year after year. It’s unacceptable not to act on the evidence of what works to boost road safety.

Matthew Mclaughlin

November 9, 2023

How to never get a speeding fine again — and maybe save a child’s life

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia; Courtney Babb, Curtin University, and Paul Roberts, The University of Western Australia

Most drivers admit to speeding and it’s causing an increasing number of deaths on our roads. Using intelligent speed assist technology can reverse this deadly trend.

Steve Waters/GettyImages

August 31, 2023

Fewer of us are cycling – here’s how we can reverse the decline

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia and Peter McCue, UNSW

Early in the pandemic, when there was much less traffic on the roads, people took to their bikes. But since then, fewer people are cycling, with rates now lower than in 2011.

September 28, 2022

Cars have taken over our neighbourhoods. Kid‑friendly superblocks are a way for residents to reclaim their streets

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia; Hayley Christian, The University of Western Australia; Jasper Schipperijn, University of Southern Denmark, and Trevor Shilton, Curtin University

Residential ‘stroads’ – neighbourhood streets that have become rat runs for through traffic – can be turned back into safe, mixed-use streets that put residents’ and children’s needs first.

August 17, 2022

10 images show just how attractive Australian shopping strips can be without cars

Matthew Mclaughlin, The University of Western Australia; Hayley Christian, The University of Western Australia; Jasper Schipperijn, University of Southern Denmark, and Trevor Shilton, Curtin University

Beautiful shopping streets attract people — and that’s good for business. Images of ten reimagined local shopping streets show how they can become the beautiful hearts of their local communities.

Kelly Barnes/AAP

October 21, 2021

Despite lockdowns, 1,142 Australians, including 66 kids, died on our roads in the past year. Here’s what we need to do

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; Hayley Christian, The University of Western Australia, and Karen Milton, University of East Anglia

Countries around the world are managing to reduce their road deaths to zero. There are ways Australia can get there too.

Shutterstock

July 10, 2021

Swap shapes for rice crackers, chips for popcorn… parents can improve their kids’ diet with these healthier lunchbox options

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; Alison Brown, University of Newcastle; Jannah Jones, University of Newcastle; Luke Wolfenden, University of Newcastle, and Rachel Sutherland, University of Newcastle

We developed a healthy lunchbox program. Here, we provide parents with ideas for swapping unhealthy foods kids might like to healthier ones comparable on cost, taste, texture and preparation time.

Shutterstock

June 9, 2021

4 reasons schools should let students wear sports uniforms every day

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; Luke Wolfenden, University of Newcastle; Nicole McCarthy, University of Newcastle, and Nicole Nathan, University of Newcastle

Nine in ten parents agree school uniforms should support their kids to be active. That’s only one reason schools should let kids wear sports uniforms. They’re also cheaper and kids prefer them.

Matthew Mclaughlin

May 19, 2021

Busted: 5 myths about 30km/h speed limits in Australia

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; Ben Beck, Monash University; Julie Brown, George Institute for Global Health, and Megan Sharkey, UNSW

The push for 30km/h speed limits is not about revenue-raising or anti-cars. Even a seemingly small decrease from 40km/h to 30km/h makes a huge difference to the safety and liveability of local streets.

Experts say encouraging physical activity should be a priority. Getty Images

November 12, 2020

Getting people more active is key to better health: here are 8 areas for investment

Catherine Draper, University of the Witwatersrand; Charlie Foster, University of Bristol; Dr Lindsey J Reece, University of Sydney; Jacqueline Mair, ETH Zurich; Jasper Schipperijn, University of Southern Denmark; Karen Milton, University of East Anglia; Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; Simone Tomaz, University of Stirling; Sjaan Gomersall, The University of Queensland, and Trevor Shilton, Curtin University

Being physically active is largely not an individual choice, but a result of what funds, spaces, places and opportunities are available to the individual and communities.

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July 22, 2020

Cycling and walking can help drive Australia’s recovery – but not with less than 2% of transport budgets

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle and Trevor Shilton, Curtin University

Investing more in cycling and walking would boost both physical and economic health, with a typical return of $5 for every $1 spent on cycling infrastructure.

Sitting can do more than give you a headache. It is linked to diabetes and obesity. Stockfour/Shutterstock.com

June 21, 2018

Sitting and diabetes in older adults: Does timing matter?

John Bellettiere, University of California, San Diego; Andrea LaCroix, University of California, San Diego, and Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle

Researchers are learning even more about how a sedentary lifestyle is bad for our bodies. A recent study shows a link between sitting patterns and diabetes in older people.

A man taking stairs at Washington-Dulles International Airport in 2013. Wikimedia Commons

October 17, 2017

One step at a time: Simple nudges can increase lifestyle physical activity

Matthew Mclaughlin, University of Newcastle; John Bellettiere, University of California, San Diego, and Natasha Bliss, San Diego State University

Dropping old, bad habits is hard, but starting new, good ones may not be so difficult. Or so a recent study suggests. Read how a simple sign at an airport made a difference.

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