Kia ora,
Where are the footpaths? FOOT paths. The place where you used to be able to walk, loiter, limp along but not now. Oh no.
Why?
Because people bike on the FOOTpath, people, all ages, scoot on the FOOTpath, and then there’s the disability scooter, silent but deadly.
Why do people agitate for cycle lanes? I have never seen a biker using the cycle lane – why would they? They use the FOOTpath.
One of these drivers on a disability scooter – do they have to have any training? – came along behind a woman who was hobbling and basically bullied her into moving to the right so he could continue on his way. He, naturally, didn’t say thanks.
Which is the norm.
Which is why, when I was walking home yesterday, keeping a wary eye out for a bike, a disability scooter or a scooter, when I became aware that a kid on a scooter was behind me. He wasn’t trying to pass but I got over to the side just in case. And you know something? As he went past he said, ‘Thank you.’
He was Maori and I think he would have been eight if that. So a big clap to his Mum for teaching him that there are other people on the footpath and they have rights too.
Renée
