Safer roads are better for everyone

Recent pedestrian versus vehicle incidents highlight the real issues being addressed by delegates as the 2Walk and Cycle conference concludes.

Safer roads for everyone has been a key point of discussion. The idea that roads should be easy to understand and safely use through good design is a concept gaining ground. Better understanding of pedestrians and walking is the first step to safer roads for them, and the topic of Swiss keynote speaker Daniel Sauter.

Andy Smith, president of the pedestrian advocacy group Living Streets Aotearoa, says "It will be interesting to hear the results of the Wellington coroner's report into recent pedestrian versus vehicle deaths and which aspects of design can be improved."

The 2Walk and Cycle conference has been held in Nelson over the last three days looking at Communities on the move.

Living Streets Aotearoa is the New Zealand pedestrian advocacy group working towards more people walking more often.

The 'self-explaining road' concept was first used by New Zealander Hamish Mackie in his work in Point England, Auckland, as the most effective method to allow all users to safely navigate their journey. Jamie Hosking, also involved in this project was a speaker at the conference. The next phase in Mangere is developing Future Streets.

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