A shared path is a step backward for pedestrians and cyclists in Christchurch

Living Streets Aotearoa is concerned about the recent proposal by the Mayor of Christchurch to remove an on-street, protected cycle lane on Park Tce and replace it with a shared path. 

 

Living Streets Aotearoa does not support shared paths as conflict between users can arise due to the different speeds of pedestrians and cyclists, space constraints, and the unpredictable behaviour of some users. Cycling speeds may average as high as 30km/h compared with an average of 4-5km/h for walking. Since these two modes of transport have very different speeds, making cyclists and pedestrians use the same shared path can lead to safety issues.

 

Having to share a path with cyclists can also make pedestrians feel unsafe and deter them from using shared paths, particularly older people, people with young children and those with disabilities. Since New Zealand has an aging population, the need to provide appropriate infrastructure for the changing population is becoming urgent. A survey of older people in Sydney found that 39% of people aged 60 or older identified people riding bicycles on shared paths as a constraint to their walking. Safe, separated footpaths are necessary for an age-friendly city.

 

"Living Streets Aotearoa supports safe, separated footpaths for pedestrians and safe, separated cycleways for people using bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters," says Living Streets Aotearoa spokesperson Carina Duke.

 

In the case of the Park Tce cycle lane, the current infrastructure is a separated cycle lane and a dedicated footpath, and it is working well for pedestrians and cyclists. There is no need to spend $300,000 making a shared path that doesn't suit either group.