A Wellington residents' association is calling for a speed limit for cyclists and scooter riders on shared pathways along the city's harbour side promenade, citing safety fears.
By Bill Hickman of RNZ
But Mayor Andrew Little said the proposed 15km/h limit would be hard to enforce and people needed to exercise their common sense when travelling the route.
Collisions and close shaves
On a sunny day Wellington's Oriental Parade bustles with beach goers, children, walkers, runners and cyclists - all vying for a place on the scenic strip.
The pavement varied from over 12 metres wide to about the width of a car - where it is squeezed between the Band Rotunda and the nearly century old Norfolk pines that line the Parade
But on the stretch it was not hard to find people who felt that cyclists and scooter riders - commuting to and from the city - were at odds with the more sedate pace of people enjoying the area.
According to Wellington City Council, 2026 saw an average of 1190 cycle trips along Oriental Parade each weekday.
Local cycle commuter Grant said he rode the pathway from the south coast almost every day. He said he would prefer the faster traffic was kept separate from walkers.
"I've seen some really close shaves on that shared pathway and the commuters go really too fast, the bikes," he said.
Residents call for 15km/h limit
The Oriental Bay Residents' Association was calling for a signposted 15km/h speed limit on the pathway from Point Jerningham, through the Parade and all the way to the Railway Station.
Association president Paul Ridley-Smith said he's been made aware of at least three crashes involving injuries in the last 18 months.
"This isn't about trying to set up speed cameras to give people $200 tickets. What it's about is having prominent signage, having consequences for the people who just flaunt it.
"Basically giving the message that 'there is a speed limit, please abide by it on the grounds of safety'," Ridley-Smith said.
Spokesperson for Cycle Wellington, Patrick Morgan, said the area was a choke point in the soon to be completed upgrades to pathways about the harbour's edge.
He doubted Wellingtonians wanted to see the popular scenic spot peppered with speed limit signs.
"A shared space was an easy solution back when there were fewer people riding but - as cycling is gaining in popularity in Wellington - the infrastructure is no longer fit for purpose.
"The city council should be reviewing Oriental Bay and building a proper protected bike lane along there," Morgan said.
Out on the Parade, walkers and cyclists said they understood the call to make the area safer.
"You've got walkers, you've got cyclists, you've got runners and you've got children even - scattered left and right," John Skinnon said.
"It's very wide and, if there was a speed limit, how would you ever enforce it?" Sue Duncan said.
"You don't really want to put another lane in. It kind of ruins the aesthetic," Craig Wheeler added.
"When I come cycling down [pedestrians] stand their ground and don't get out of the way. So maybe more education in terms of letting people know what it is," said a local who did not want to be named.
Cycling road code does not specify a top speed on shared pavement
A police spokesperson confirmed they had received a report of one crash "alongside Oriental Parade" near Carlton Gore Road where an ambulance attended and a female pedestrian was taken to hospital just after 8am on January 3.
The location was near the point where separated pathways end and merge into the shared pathway.
"Ambulance reported a female pedestrian had been hit by a cyclist. Initial information suggests the female was moderately injured and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Police did not attend," the spokesperson said.
A Wellington City Council spokesperson said they had records of two bicycle/pedestrian crashes in the area for the five years following 2020 but were aware of "other crashes and near misses" that had not been officially reported.
They said people were expected to follow the guidance in the cycling road code - which did not specify a top speed in areas of shared pavement.
"On shared paths, use slower speeds and give way to slower users. Pass other people with at least a metre gap to avoid startling them. Let pedestrians know you are approaching by politely calling out or ringing a bell well in advance, especially if they have not seen you. Where possible, ride on the left and pass on your right," the road code said.
Little said he was aware of the accidents but felt a speed limit in the area would be hard to enforce.
"There are limits on what the council can regulate on footpaths. But we can certainly do a little more in getting messages out, getting signs out saying 'you're on a shared path, slow down' which is what people should do," Little said.
Little hoped people were able to exercise a little restraint and common sense as they moved along the busy promenade.
"It just makes sense that you slow down and you don't operate your cycle or your scooter in a way that's going to frighten people. That's just basic human common sense that I'd expect people to apply."
This month Wellington City Council concluded public consultation on traffic calming measures and pedestrian crossing upgrades in response to safety concerns on the road next to the shared pathway.
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