Fresh thinking needed to consider transport plan
DR Alex MacMillan’s contribution to The Mix (ODT, 13.4.19) is, as to be expected, thoughtprovoking, but also desperately in need of counterarguments.
The inevitable consequence of banishing Lime scooters to the roadways only, as per her imploring, will of course lead to a significant increase in scooter versus vehicle injuries and death to their riders, thus further vilifying the motor car in the minds of some.
She states that ‘‘the focus on escooter injuries belie the relative injury burden which is small and on the whole, minor, compared with that caused by motor vehicle crashes’’.
However, as an academic, Dr MacMillan should easily be able to calculate that perperson kilometre travelled, being cocooned in a car is much, much safer. Most car crash fatalities occur out on the open road, in any case.
She states that endemic use of the car for transport is ‘‘one major reason we hold the world bronze medal for obesity’’.
Maybe, but I think the evidence is stronger that firstly, we each eat far too much (with a huge associated emissions correlate in terms of food production, distribution and wastage), and secondly, computerisation of most workplaces has resulted in mass physical indolence. So blame Apple, not Ford.
The latest annual report of the NZAA (Directions, autumn 2019) states ‘‘The AA now considers that it has evolved from a motoring centered organisation to a member centered organisation’’.
I interpret that to mean that New Zealand now urgently needs a completely fresh organisation committed to preserving the freedom of safe, rapid, convenient and comfortable personal transport.
This is now critical as the various anticar lobbies gain traction, particularly at local government level; businesses now have their survival threatened as a consequence of idealistic and woolly thinking.
Jack Crawford Macandrew Bay
Anzac Day
I BELIEVE cancelling Anzac Day services, for what is becoming a cliche, is letting the Australian terrorist ‘‘win’’.
The Anazac spirit was born of individuals being prepared to stand up, even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice, against evil.
To me, the Kiwi way is to say we will carry on as normal, even if it may mean personal risk.
Come on, Kiwis — tell the powers that be we want to be able to go to our usual Anzac services.
Reinstate all the usual Anzac services, and let the individuals decide. Let’s show the world terrorism won’t affect New Zealand’s way of life.
BIBLE READING: Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’’ When he had said this, he breathed his last. — Luke 23: 46