Opinion: Footpath a safer option for children on bikes

Owhata principal Bob Stiles backs a report stating children up to 12 should be allowed to bike on the footpath. Photo/Ben Fraser

Letting children bike on the footpath has its merits.

The suggestion, made in a report by the NZ Transport Agency, has received mixed reactions in Rotorua.

The report suggested allowing children up to 12 to ride bikes on the footpath when accompanied by an adult.

It was released as Parliament considered a petition by Lower Hutt woman Joanne Clendon asking for those under 14, their guardians, those over 65, and disabled people to be able to cycle on footpaths without falling foul of the law.

Parliament's Transport Select Committee agreed to take a look at the petition, and is hearing submissions from the public.

Some in Rotorua, such as Owhata School principal Bob Stiles, said it was a good idea, supported by schools encouraging more children to ride their bikes to school.

Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins took it a step further, claiming it would be an amazing first where a law change actually made sense.

He said roads were a dangerous place for children on bikes and they should be allowed to cycle on the footpath without breaking the law.

But others were more cautious, saying there were some merits to the proposal, but it also raised concerns.

Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said he could understand why the move was suggested, but he was mindful a segment of the population that used footpaths were vulnerable, such as the elderly and very young children.

Mr Nightingale said riding of bikes on footpaths, other than by very small children, tended to contribute to collisions.

While I can certainly see where Mr Nightingale's concerns come from, I tend to lean towards letting the proposal become a reality.

As an adult I don't feel safe cycling on the road, let alone allowing children to do it.

I've seen countless near-misses involving motorists and cyclists and shudder to think what the outcome would be if those near-misses involved children.

As long as parents teach their children how to courteously share the footpath with pedestrians, I don't see a problem with it.

And if it means getting more children active on their way to school, that's even more of a reason to give this suggestion the go-ahead.