Auckland Council has strongly supported a central government package of proposed rule changes to make streets safer, more accessible, and to encourage active modes of transport, while requesting a greater focus on pedestrian safety.
In its submission on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Accessible Streets Regulatory Package - nine proposals aiming to improve safety for footpath, shared path, cycle lane and cycle path users, encourage more active transport and clarify the rules for using small personal transport devices, such as e-scooters - the council supports most of the proposals but seeks some changes to prioritise pedestrian safety and encourage more walking and cycling.
Councillor Pippa Coom says: ““The council strongly supports Waka Kotahi’s overall package. The proposed changes will help make streets more people friendly and welcoming to a variety of transport modes and are aligned with the council’s strategic plans to create more vibrant and livable neighborhoods.
“Tidying up existing rules is a good step forward but we are seeking further changes to provide even greater levels of safety for pedestrians, such as limiting e-scooter footpath speeds to 10km/h, especially with new technologies driving a growth in the types and range of designs of small personal transport devices.
“We’re also asking that additional funding be made available to provide for more active transport infrastructure. Waka Kotahi’s Innovating Streets for People pilot fund is a great start, but these proposed changes will increase the numbers of people and transport modes being used on cycle lanes and shared paths, so more infrastructure to provide more space for all users will be needed.
“Overall, the benefits of these changes will be significant. More people walking and cycling is healthier for Aucklanders, it will lead to improved and more equitable, pedestrian-friendly street design, and it is better for our climate with a greater use of no or low emission transport”, says Cr Coom.
Key points from the council’s submission
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support for new, clearer rules for people riding on footpaths and speed restrictions but seeking changes to only allow cyclists up to 16 years old and over the age of 65 to use footpaths as well as accompanying caregivers.
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support for allowing transport devices, such as e-scooters, to use cycle lanes and paths.
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support clarifying the types of small transport devices that can use the footpath, like e-scooters, but requests a reduced speed limit to 10 km/h.
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support for shared path users giving way to pedestrians with changes to the default speed limits of 25km/h for all shared paths and 50km/h for cycle paths to reduce the risk to the more vulnerable users of these spaces. Also, priority given to cyclists over users of powered transport devices.
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support allowing cycles and transport devices to ride straight ahead from a left turn lane, to pass slow-moving vehicles on the left and that turning traffic must give way to all people using the footpath or separated lanes if those people are travelling straight through at an intersection.
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support clarifying the rules and requirements for road controlling authorities to restrict parking on berms and remove the need for signage.
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support the requirement to give way to signalling buses pulling out of bus stop.
Read Auckland Council’s full submission
More information about the Accessible Streets Regulatory Package’s nine proposed changes is available here.