Mel Yuan for Brunswick

Independent candidate for Merri-bek Council & the seat of Brunswick

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Keep footpaths safe

Safe footpaths are essential for pedestrians, especially children, people pushing prams, those with limited mobility and using motorised mobility aids.

I was unfortunate enough to have a pre-schooler having a tantrum on Sydney Road recently and he was on the footpath but was at risk of being hit by a cyclist riding (albeit slowly) onto the footpath.

BIKE DISMOUNT
20131101_BIKES_DOWNTOWN.jpg A bike dismount sign on the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Street Friday, Nov. 01, 2013. (Lewis Geyer/Times-Call)

Simple signage along Sydney Road is all that’s needed to remind cyclists of the law.

 

Can I ride on a footpath?

You can only ride on a footpath if you:

  • are under the age of 12
  • are an adult (18 years or older) supervising a child under 12
  • have a disability that means it’s difficult for you to ride on the road.

If you have a disability and are riding on a footpath, you must be able to show police a medical certificate if you’re asked.

When riding on a footpath, you must keep to the left and give way to pedestrians.

http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/riding-bike-lanes-and-paths

 

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4 responses to “Keep footpaths safe”

  1. Tracey Marsich Avatar
    Tracey Marsich

    Hi, our school boarders the very busy park st bike path, before the end of term 3 a student was hit by a cyclist. Many students need to cross the path to reach the school. There are path stickers/sinage on the path but are not complied with. Can you assist with the best way to make this a safer for students trying to cross at busy times.

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    1. melyuan4moreland Avatar
      melyuan4moreland

      I would be interested in the signage/ stickers – perhaps there is a design problem there? Could these messages and their visibility be improved? At our primary school the Police were present and did a good job community policing – reminding people of the road and parking rules around school. Perhaps the school could request the police to come and run a blitz? Safety of children on streets is a priority.

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    2. Nathan Avatar
      Nathan

      It is paramount that our kids treat crossing bike paths just as they do crossing roads. Both are vehicle thoroughfares and must be treated with utmost respect. “Look left, look right, look left again”. I am a driver, a cyclist and the father of a 3 year old. My boy has consistently been taught how to cross roads and bike paths and understands clearly that both can be dangerous places that must he treated with respect. He now tells me “hold my hand daddy” and ensures i look both ways when crossing. He also understands to keep left on shared pathways and to check for bikes before crossing. Instilling these behaviours in children are basic parental responsibilities.

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  2. Brunswick for kids – Mel Yuan for Moreland

    […] Enforce laws to keep pedestrians, children, the elderly and people pushing prams safe on footpaths, … […]

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