The E-scooters on footpaths debacle

Andy Smith, President of Living Streets Aotearoa talks to Phil Pennington, Radio NZ, about keeping our footpaths safe for pedestrians. We need better data on pedestrians, on our footpaths and how to improve them for pedestrians. Meanwhile the government has allowed e-scooters and is working to get more vehicles onto our footpaths!

The 2004 Road Rule change that allowed mobility scooters onto footpaths could not have considered the electric scooters we see today, they weren't around! A speed limit on footpaths was suggested but rejected. The safe speed on footpaths is walking speed for any vehicle user like mobility scooters or vehicles accessing a property - 5kms hour.

About Us

Living Streets Aotearoa is the New Zealand organisation for people on foot, promoting walking-friendly communities. We are a nationwide organisation with local branches and affiliates throughout New Zealand.

We want more people walking and enjoying public spaces be they young or old, fast or slow, whether walking, sitting, commuting, shopping, between appointments, or out on the streets for exercise, for leisure or for pleasure.

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