Pedestrian safety essential

Brian Rudman hit the nail on the head by highlighting the growing challenge to pedestrian safety from the proliferation of wheeled vehicles using footpaths. Both the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport have this year proclaimed that safety on roads is a higher priority while at the same time facilitating the use of electric scooters on footpaths.

Spending on footpath improvements in Auckland has been limited partly because government subsidies, like the generous ones provided for motorways, have not been available. Many are not in a fit state to cope with bicycles, scooters, skateboards and NZ Post vehicles capable of dangerous speeds. With our rapidly ageing population, the cost of injuries will skyrocket if we continue to have free-forall footpaths.

The Puketapapa Local Board has requested Auckland Council develop a comprehensive approach to footpath safety clearly identifying which vehicles are allowed on which footpaths, setting speed limits and requiring bells or other warning devices. Enforcement is not easy but the board wants the promotion of a complaints process and more police involvement. Japan requires all bicycles to be registered and this should apply here for all wheeled vehicles allowed on footpaths which are capable of dangerous speeds.

Without proper education and enforcement, 2019 is likely to see a serious escalation in pedestrian casualties in Auckland. David Holm, Mount Roskill.