Living Streets Aotearoa believes that "walkable"must be inclusive of "wheelable", and that engaging with and learning from people with disabilities should be central to pedestrian design.

#IDPD2025 #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

This example is so famous that the "Curb-Cut Effect" is the name for the wider concept that designing, creating, and implementing features and strategies for people with disabilities can benefit a larger group of people.

A great example of this are curb cuts, which are small ramps that were added to footpaths to improve wheelchair users' mobility. But curb cuts also made footpaths more accessible for people pushing prams, people using suitcases, and people pushing trolleys.

Image credit: Sketchplantations

Future improvements in the area include widening the footpath, improving lighting and kerb ramps, and replacing the existing speed hump with a raised pedestrian crossing.

"The upgrades are already making a difference, making it safer and easier for people to move around – especially for children, older residents, and those with mobility needs.

The upgrade also includes "a smoother pathway, fence repairs, and new lighting. A pedestrian connection has also been created next to the bus hub, linking Farm Street to Bayfair Shopping Centre."

Living Streets Aotearoa shares the group's concerns, especially because drivers going over the speed limit put pedestrians at greater risk. We support this action and encourage local members to get involved.

A recent fatal crash in the area further highlights this issue. The group would like to work with Waka Kotahi to improve safety.

Drayton says: "We’ve got the community, well, we’re pretty confident we’ve got the community behind us anyway. But we can do that and then have a chat with Waka Kotahi.”

Michael Drayton from the Ōhaeawai Taumai Residents Association said: "traffic often travels well above the 60km/h as it passes through the intersection of State Highway 1 and 12, an area with some shops, petrol stations and the turnoff to the school."

Read the full piece at our website!

Dunedin has made many changes to its main street and to be honest I am afraid to go down to the middle of town as it’s all new and foreign. Collaborating with Blind Low Vision NZ to ensure all members are familiar with new layouts would make us feel like we can own the changes."

For example: "Q: What are your suggestions for Dunedin Council and other Councils to prioritise in the footpath and public open space?"

"A: Communicating changes to roading and design is critical...

At the Summit, she talked about her walking journey which eventually led her to walking every street in Dunedin! The blog summarises Julie's Summit presentation, and there is also a Q&A with Julie at the end with some of the questions asked at the Summit.

Learn more by reading the full piece:

The good news is we can and are making changes to improve walkability "including a car-free street trial near a Wellington school, safety improvements and a new community space at an intersection in Hamilton, and advocates who fought to retain a safer speed limit in their community near Nelson."

"The lack of funding has worsened the existing situation that streets, public places, and transport policies are designed with cars in mind first, making it faster and more convenient to hop in the car as a default."

According to recent research from NZTA, "82% of people walked for transport at least once a week, a significant increase from the 64% who did so in 2023."

While this trend is great news, the investment in walking and pedestrian infrastructure has not kept up.

Walking is a key sustainable mode of transport and often is a link to other sustainable modes like public transport. We need to be investing more in walking not only for the sustainability of our transport system, but also for the health, safety, and wellbeing of our communities.

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