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Variable speed limits outside schools

Spokes Logo of a bicycle wheel with the word spokes written underneath

 

Variable speed limits outside schools

 

Submission from Spokes Canterbury

Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/schoolspeeds

Tēnā koutou katoa

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Variable speed limits outside schools

Introduction

Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,300 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas. Spokes has a long history of advocacy in this space including writing submissions, presenting to councils, and working collaboratively with others in the active transport space. We focus on the need for safe cycling for those aged 8 to 80. Spokes also supports all forms of active transport, public transport, and has an interest in environmental matters.

Proposal Overview

Overall Spokes

International and New Zealand evidence shows that lowering speed limits saves lives. Children don’t stop existing after school hours and many of the roads proposed for speed limit increases are residential streets which don’t need high speed limits. Not only that variable speed limits are confusing to drivers and even at 30 km/h, it is very hard to read, comprehend, process, and understand what a sign means all while maintaining control of a vehicle travelling at speed.

What Spokes Canterbury endorses in the proposal.

  1. Variable speed limit signs show 30 km/h as the default with times listed below when it does not apply.

What Spokes Canterbury opposes in the proposal.

  1. Speeds are going up where it is not safe to do so.

Recommendations

  1. The council went back to the Govt and said these are unworkable for our local community, many of our local schools actively asked for lower speed limits as did many residents who lived on residential streets.

I would like the opportunity to present to the Christchurch City Council on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.

Ngā mihi nui,

Submissions Co-ordinator

Spokes Canterbury

submissions@spokes.org.nz

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