The irony of Auckland Transport's statement about the extension of the Meola Road cycleway into Westmere is that they are, “improving safety and accessibility for people,” yet the positioning of every pedestrian crossing is tucked just around the corner, perfectly located for cars to hit smack bang into walkers.
To save walkers the inconvenience of walking 20m down Meola before crossing, they will now risk their lives by using the new crossing at the corner – never mind the crossing at the Westmere shops which too is just metres from a blind corner. This is a crossing that I have provided first-aid to walkers on two occasions in two years. Yet somehow "safety" is the reason for these works.
Reduced parking is also apparently deemed "safer" – best we start suggesting our patients who are sick, have reduced mobility, have kids and prams, and are elderly – to ride their bike to collect their medicines to avoid being cut off from the community because their car is no longer welcome.
Finally, if safety truly is our top priority, my solution to commuting cyclists would be to ride down Faulder Avenue, a lovely quiet street, linking up with West End Road and avoiding all the hazards that come with a busy village – possibly an easy solution that would save taxpayer dollar, avoid a disruptive village remodel, and might actually be indeed safer for cyclists.
Samantha Tibshraeny, Westmere Pharmacy
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