Safety tips on our walkways

 

We regularly hear people on our pathways could show more consideration when stretching their legs – from picking up litter and keeping their dog on a leash to allowing cyclists to pass safely.

Anyone using shared paths is required by law to use them fairly and safely.

Palmy’s walkways are a treasure community asset and are used by several types of recreational users, such as cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders, families, pedestrians and runners.

We’ve come up with some handy tips, so all our users feel welcome, safe and respected.

Cycling:

A person bikes towards 2 women walking on a shared pathway.

  • Cycle like you drive – keep left and stay alert.
  • It’s not the Tour de France. Slow down, use a bell and pass on the grass if need be.
  • Watch out for kurī me tamariki (dogs and children) and always be ready to stop suddenly.
  • Pedestrians have the right of way.
  • Wear a helmet.

Dog walkers:

  • Scoop the poop! Bag it and bin it.
  • Check whether you’re in an on or off leash area before setting your furry friend free.
  • Ensure your dog is always under control. If they are not, make sure they’re on a lead.
  • Not everyone is comfortable around dogs, so please be mindful of those who aren’t - even if you’re in an off-leash area.

Picture shows two dogs playing at green space, with a background text of

Horses:

  • Ride like you drive – be aware of your surroundings and don’t speed. Maintain a steady walking pace and safe distance from other users.
  • When walking near horses, do not shout or make sudden movements, give a wide berth when overtaking and let the rider know you are there.
  • Ask riders before approaching or patting their horse.
  • Like dog owners, scoop the poop!

Pedestrians/runners/whānau:

  • Stick to the left.
  • Keep your music volume low so you can hear cyclists approaching from behind.
  • If you’re going to leave anything behind, make it your footprints and not your coffee cup.
  • Look after our beautiful awa and walkways by picking up your paru (rubbish). Be a tidy Kiwi.
  • If our bins are overflowing, give our friendly team a call on 06 356 8199 and take your rubbish home.
  • Keep an eye on your tamariki and teach them good walkway etiquette when they’re young.

Group of kids walking through the grass with text that says 'Keep an eye on your tamariki'.

Motorbikes:

  • There are signs on most of our walkways and parks prohibiting motorbikes.
  • Council has limited powers, and our tools include the use of bylaws, education campaigns and signage.
  • We cannot take enforcement action, and we encourage anyone who notices motorbikes on our pathways and parks to call police immediately.
  • Installing barriers, such as bollards, are not good deterrents as they also impede access for legitimate pathway users such as people on bikes and people in wheelchairs, as well as other maintenance vehicles.
  • We want to ensure that everyone can continue to use our pathways safely, so we would encourage people who see dirt bikes riding dangerously to take a photo if they feel safe to do so and report it to police.

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