City proves risky for walkers, cyclists

Whangarei is one of the most dangerous places in the country to be a pedestrian, according to a new report.
The report reveals that eight pedestrians died in the five years to the end of 2005 - more than any other district of similar topography, size and population.
It also shows that Whangarei has one of the lowest rates of cycle use in the country.
The report, commissioned by the Whangarei District Council, sets out ways the district can encourage cycling and walking - thereby cutting traffic congestion, parking problems and greenhouse gas production, as well as improving health.
The report suggests:
Constructing pedestrian and cycling routes on at least one side of all existing urban roads.
Raising awareness that pedestrians and cyclists have the same rights to use roads as motorists.
Regularly monitoring speeding drivers and encouraging council staff to walk or cycle.
Making sure future planning and design accommodates the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.
So far Whangarei has cycle lanes on Maunu Rd, Riverside Dr, Kiripaka Rd, Kamo Rd and Western Hills Dr. However, there are no dedicated cycle paths.
The report reveals that Whangarei's children, teenagers and older people are especially overrepresented in pedestrian casualty statistics.
In the 0-4 age group, fatalities were more than three times the national average; for school-age children the rate was double.
The worst areas were the central shopping area, particularly along Bank, Rathbone and Walton streets; Tikipunga; SH1 and Kamo Rd in Kensington; SH1 in Otaika; and Riverside Dr.
The report found out that fewer than five percent of Whangarei residents walk or bike to work, and only three percent of students bike to school.
The main reasons for not cycling were given as inconsiderate drivers, busy roads, fast vehicles, narrow bridges and bike theft.
An earlier survey found that Kamo High School pupils were the keenest cyclists, but principal Bernard Taffs said a combination of hills, a lack of bike parking, long distances and safety concerns discouraged students from biking to school.
Kamo Intermediate School, which had the highest number of cyclists in a 2004 survey, now has 30 students out of 640 getting to school by bike.
Deputy principal Rick Kivell said there had been an increase in the number of parents driving their children to school.
The report also recognised that people who live in places that offered a range of cycling, walking and public transport opportunities had lower levels of obesity and more social connection.
Public health specialist Jonathan Jarman said cycling and walking reduced the risk of obesity and heart disease.
Dr Jarman said cycling and walking also enabled people to socialise, making the community a better place to live.
* Pedalling for pleasure
Whangarei travel consultant Sali Marinkovich pedals 60km every day between Whangarei Heads and the city.
The Taurikura resident, who doesn't have a driver's licence, has been biking for five years and says she thoroughly enjoys her daily commute, which takes an hour 15 minutes each way.
"It keeps me fit. I sit at my desk the whole day so I get a bit of exercise by cycling."
She said cycling also helped reduce traffic congestion and parking woes.
But Ms Marinkovich concedes that the roads are not especially cycle-friendly.
"The roads where I live are very narrow and there's lots of loose metal and broken glass at the edge, where drivers want us to ride," she said.
She called for better provision for cyclists and more consideration from motorists.
A member of the Bike Whangarei group, Paul Doherty, said one of the reasons people were reluctant to use bikes was that they feared for their safety.