Now, it might surprise you to learn that both of those things are against the rules. Kids aren’t allowed on footpaths on their bikes unless the wheel diameter is roughly the length of a ruler or smaller, and e-scooters are not allowed in cycle lanes.
And it probably does surprise you, because we do these things all the time, don’t we? We’ve got a cycleway near our house and scooters are on that thing constantly - because frankly, it’s the safest place for a scooter to be.
I took my boy and his six and nine-year-old cousins for a bike ride to the skate park at the beach during summer. They rode on the footpath. Two of those bikes were definitely against the rules - far too big.
So you could probably characterise Chris Bishop’s proposed changes as simply updating the law to reflect what people are already doing.
But I have a question for you - Why have an age limit for kids at all?
We’re hardly going to stick to this rule, are we? We’re hardly going to tell a 12-year-old that the day they turn 13, they suddenly have to get off the footpath and cycle down Ponsonby Road.
In fact, we regularly see older adults riding their bikes along Ponsonby Road, past the cafés. We just step out of the way. It’s an adult on an adult-sized bike - they’re courteous, they’re surrounded by pedestrians and they go slowly.
So here’s my proposal - when we change the rules, why don’t we take the age limit out altogether? Don’t have an age limit.
Simply say - we’d prefer you to cycle on the road but if you can’t do that safely, you’re welcome to use the footpath. If you do, please go slowly and give pedestrians the right of way. Our goal is that no one dies on the road and no one gets hurt on the footpath.
Maybe we could just pass a rule that reflects what we’re already doing - and what also reflects a bit of common sense.
Heather du Plessis-Allan is a journalist and commentator who hosts Newstalk ZB's Drive show. This article was sourced from Newstalk ZB.
7 comments:
Already too many entitled cyclists riding on the footpaths and putting pedestrians at risk - the worst offenders being the glo-jacket clad, e- biking pensioners. And I have yet to meet one who is either courteous, considerate, or travelling slowly. It's ime we reclaimed footpaths for foot traffic!
Too much leeway is given to cyclists and scooter users (it was a moronic idea to let these latter be used anyway), and, as for footpath use; what part of 'foot' don't those idiots understand?
I've met "cyclists".
Allow those things on footpaths where innocent pedestrians roam?
NO thanks!
It is proposed that a 50 tonne articulated truck towing a 3 axle trailer unit can pass at 90 kph anyone including say a a 6 year old on a bicycle with just 1.5 m clearance! Unless the cyclist does something grossly wrong it should be the responsibility of the (licensed) overtaker to maintain a safe condition. As a geriatric who rides a bike I regularly ride on the footpath, mainly uphill when my speed is that of a fast walk. But I have over 60 years of accident free driving experince with anticipation honed accordingly.I stop or swerve onto grass for other than solitary pedestrians. Electric scooters, including when randomly abandoned, are a far greater danger. Road riding is very hazardous. Many motorists are anti cyclist and deliberately crowd Vehicles have contacted me on occassions. The Police do not pursue..For the elderly a broken hip is often a death sentance. The problem with chidren is thay have no anticipatory experience. If get a $5000 dent in car door how do trarce the cyclist and how do recover costs? The e bikes are a real threat to cyclist as the overtaking speed differnce esp uphill is enormous and without warning. Pedestrians do not appreciate a "get out of my way" bell blast. Pedstrains must have r.o.w.
My dogs and I enjoy walking but these days by choice we only walk on weekdays during school hours and avoid any “shared paths”. Even then we still sometimes find it preferable to walk on the grass verge. There are just too many scooters and bikes, and I’m afraid I find older riders can be just as unpredictable as the children. Riders are frequently too fast - e.g. more like 20-30kph through the park where the limit is for cars is 10kph. Footpaths and most “shared” paths are simply too narrow for pedestrians and bikes to safely share and of course there is never any separation or barrier between the bikes snd the pedestrians. The ACC figures bear out the dangers.
Robert Arthur is a typical self-centred cyclist. He worries about riding on the road because he may break a hip - what about an elderly pedestrian knocked over by an over-grown12 year old or a selfish septugenarian?
Sounds like the Anonymous who persists in spraying BV with irrelevant side tracks. I have ridden vastly further on shared paths and footpaths than the road but never slightly threatened any pedestrain.But I have been bowled on the road and am threatened near every time I utilise. If I forsake the cycle paths and use my car and add to the notable road congestion around my home, that could be regarded as inconsiderate..
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