These cyclists are riding on the road, others ride on the footpath.
Signs could be erected in Cambridge and Te Awamutu central business districts after a man was almost bowled over by a teenaged rider.
*The print version was incorrect, it is the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004.
Don McGovern is concerned an elderly pedestrian could suffer a series injury, or worst, after almost being bowled over by a teenaged rider on the footpath. Photo: Chris Gardner
Don McGovern complained to police and Waipā District Council after the near miss on the corner of Duke Street on January 16.
McGovern, who works as a groundsman, complained the cyclist rode the footpath from Duke Street, cut the corner as he crossed Empire Street and continued up Victoria Street.
“He was biking like billy-o,” McGovern said. “I shouted out to him to get off and walk and go by the rule book and he did.”
McGovern said an injury from a collision with a moving bike and cyclist could have put him off work for weeks.
“Cambridge has an increasingly growing elderly population,” he said.
*The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 forbids most people from biking on footpaths. The only bike riders allowed on footpaths are people delivering newspapers or mail, or children on tricycles or small bicycles (the wheel diameter for children must be less than 355 mm).
See: On the wrong path
A woman takes evasive action as student cyclists approach her on the eastern side of the Victoria St footpath last year. Photo: Supplied
McGovern reported the incident to police, Waipā District Council and The News immediately after the incident – his second near miss.
In the few minutes The News interviewed him at the scene, a father and two children rode by on their bicycles albeit slowly and respectfully.
But not everyone is respectful of other footpath users.
“They cut the corners, and then go like hell,” McGovern said.
“It’s got to stop. These are footpaths, they are not cycleways. “
He could see no reason why anybody would need to ride on the footpath.
“The council has just spent $10 million dollars on cycleways,” he said.
McGovern said police had told him they were doing their best, but he didn’t feel it was adequate.
Police spent Road Safety Week last year asking young riders to dismount rather than ride through the central business district.
McGovern wondered whether the town’s Māori wardens might be able to assist. The News is seeking comment from the Māori wardens.
Mike Pettit
The News took McGovern’s concerns to Waipā mayor Mike Pettit, as he had not heard back from the council.
Pettit shared McGovern’s concerns.
“The risk is somebody gets bowled over and them breaking a hip,” he said.
He promised to talk to council group manager for customer and community services Sally Sheedy about erecting signs reminding bikers that it was an offence to ride on the footpaths.
Pettit thought more education was necessary.
Roger Gordon
Cambridge ward councillor and Grey Power treasurer Roger Gordon said Grey Power advocated for cyclists to stay off pedestrian footpaths.
“Mike is right. The one thing we can do put signs up that makes cyclists aware,” he said.
One of the challenges, Gordon said, was designated cycleways in town between the carriageway and parking spaces.
“There’s a real concern that reversing car could knock down a cyclist,” he said.
“That’s something that needs to be investigated.”
Cambridge Middle and High School students were reminded last year to use the cycleways rather than the footpaths.
Cyclists in Cambridge riding on the road, rather than the footpath. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
