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.
3 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!
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