Nelson and New Zealand have had a recent dark and long series of accidents, 26 victims in 10 days. We need to take steps now to stop the ongoing problem of accidents on our roads.

Specifically, Nelson, like many cities, has many cyclists and pedestrians, as well as cars, trucks, they all have to share the same public space. Vulnerable pedestrian and cyclists, kids in particular,  have to contend daily with roads that are dangerous, difficult to cross, and have heavy truck traffic. There are numerous intersections that are notorious for their high accident rates.

Providing an immediate answer is needed now, to stop the ongoing series of accidents by adding simple, inexpensive and effective measures like:

• Zebra crossings i.e typically Rocks road, and port Nelson
  
• Speed bumps i.e. city center Halifax street east, Selwyn place
• Speed signs, 30km/h zones i.e. Rocks road / Boathouse sector, Trafalgar Street Halifax street E corner.
• "Share the road" signs i.e. Atawhai sector
• "Expect pedestrians": HW6 and Trafalgar street roundabout + cycling track crossing next to it.
• "Expect cyclists signs" : absolutely everywhere.
  These basic but effective safety measures are necessary, these are missing on main roads around Nelson, these roads are lacking signs, pedestrian crossings i.e Rocks road/Boathouse, Port Nelson, Trafalgar Street, while facing extremely dense truck traffic and other heavy vehicles that cannot break and avoid a falling child  or slow pedestrians crossing rocks road i.e. in front of the Boathouse.

Let's not allow the following events occur to our loved ones. This happen to them and that's enough victims.

Accidents and recent death: In recent weeks, one cyclist has been seriously injured and another killed on roads in and near Nelson:

• Cyclist knocked off bike by car and seriously injured 08/04/19 :

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/111880143/cyclist-seriously-injured-after-nelson-crash

• Nelson Cyclist Ann Rigg, 66, 2 sons, many grandchildren  a loving husband, a marathon runner, a national multi titled  competitor cyclist was killed in a collision with a car next to her place 05/04/19:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/111819052/cyclist-killed-in-accident-near-nelson

Future accidents are to  happen without the necessary changes :

Accidents are inevitable in places where it is difficult for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the road safely. In Nelson, these danger zones include sections of Highway 6 along Rocks Road to Port Nelson, Trafalgar Street up to Halifax Street East, and Waimea Road.

An example of a situation hazardous to cyclists:intense truck traffic + lack of traffic management and basic safety features such as speed bumps, zebra crossings or appropriate speed reduction areas (18/10/2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msDUBFID_UM

I started this petition because…
Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians...we are all citizens, and when we get home safe in the end we are all walking as a mother, father, son, a daughter, a friend, a citizen. If we feel unsafe in any of these roles, and if it is evident that things could and should change for the better, then why not embrace  initiatives to make a change for the better?

This petition will be presented the Nelson Transport Committee meeting on Monday 15th of April 2019.