Coroner’s process much welcomed

Transport planner Bevan Woodward welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Coroner’s enquiry on the spate of cyclists’ deaths.

Mr Woodward says: “Cycling is a brilliant activity that benefits everybody, but unfortunately NZ is dragging the chain on making much needed safety improvements. I hope that the Coroners enquiry will finally spur our politicians and road builders into action.”

Mr Woodward first warned Auckland City Council in 2006 of the danger for cyclists at the location on Tamaki Drive where English nurse Jane Bishop was subsequently killed cycling in November 2010.

Mr Woodward has studied international best practice to see how other nations have improved cycle safety. “Whilst there is no silver bullet for improving cycle safety, there are many things we can do, that when taken together, are likely to deliver significant safety improvements.”

Mr Woodward has identified six key areas that should be focused on in New Zealand:

1. Reduce the speed of traffic on key cycling routes 2. Protect cyclists through improved provision 3. Increase the funding for cycle safety projects 4. Improve road design to ensure safety for all road users 5. Enforce and toughen the laws for road users 6. Improve driving behaviour The following list of 6 initiative areas is recommended for implementation. Initiative area Specific measures Who 1. Reduce the speed of traffic on key cycling routes a) Reduce speed limits on urban and rural roads wherever appropriate (eg: to 30 and 80 km/h respectively). Introduce more school zones and raised platform pedestrian crossings. b) Reduce the tolerance for speeding to 5km/h. c) Ban the use of radar detectors. NZTA & local Councils Police Govt 2. Protect cyclists a) Require by law 1.5 metres of space when passing cyclists. b) Make motorists responsible for crashes with cyclists, Govt to enact Transportation Planning for a Better World unless proven otherwise. c) Impose tougher penalties for those causing cyclist injuries. d) Run a national Share the Road promotional campaign educating motorists and cyclists. Courts NZTA 3. Increase funding a) Increase the investment in cycle safety funding from Government and local Councils to improve road design and cycle facilities. b) Fund and implement a national system of cycle skills training in all schools. Govt, NZTA & local Councils 4. Improve road design a) Require NZTA to give cycle safety highest priority on popular routes and promote best practice implementation. b) Have a certification process for road safety auditors c) Extend workplace health and safety measures to road design. d) Require that roading maintenance works improve conditions for cycling whenever possible MoT, NZTA MoT MoT NZTA & local Councils 5. Enforce the law a) More rigorous prosecution for those causing cyclist injuries. b) Introduce workplace health and safety initiatives and rules to improve road safety c) Greater enforcement of the speed limits by Police. Police MoT Police 6. Improve driving behaviour a) Reduce the blood-alcohol levels to 50mg per 100ml and less for younger drivers. b) Re-sitting the driver’s theory test as part of the 10 yearly licence renewal. c) Require professional training for obtaining a driver’s license and include questions in the theory tests on sharing the road with cyclists. d) Make 3rd party insurance compulsory to reduce the number of modified cars and incentivise drivers to maintain a clean driving record. e) Raise the age to get a full licence to 17 years old
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