Share the road

How to run campaigns related to speed, driveway safety, giving way and cycle courtesy.

Driveways (target - pedestrians, cyclists and parents)

Introduction

Small children are particularly vulnerable in these types of crashes as they are difficult for reversing drivers to see. Cyclists travelling on the footpath or in cycle lanes, especially in areas where there is no parking space between the cycle lane and the footpath, are also particularly at risk. Drivers need to be reminded to take care when reversing out of driveways and cyclists and pedestrians need to act defensively to keep themselves safe.

Community action

• Demonstrations to children and parents showing how to check driveways when walking on the footpath.
• Cyclists demonstrating how to ride defensively and check for reversing vehicles at driveways.

Community groups to involve in planning

You should involve members of your target groups to find out what their issues are. Some suggestions are:

• children
• teachers
• parents
• cycle groups
• police education officers
• NZ Post (if posties on the footpath are at risk in your area).

Messages to communicate

Some messages to encourage changes in the behaviour of the target group are:

• cyclists – slow down and check at driveways
• always check for vehicles in driveways
• ride safely, check for reversing vehicles
• encourage children not to play in driveways
• if you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you. Stop, look, listen at driveways.

Media to use

Use media appropriate to your target group. Some suggestions are:

• cards or leaflets for schools, parents and their children
• information to walking school bus parents
• a story for young children illustrating safe behaviour
• a drama for schools
• working with police education officers to provide information to children
• information to cyclist groups
• information in cycle shops
• information and personal visits to businesses such as NZ Post
• car rubbish bags with artwork and a message to be distributed at schools, health days, churches, ante-natal classes.

Emotional slant

• Include humour to defuse feelings of anger on the part of one or both groups involved, especially where groups of adults such as postal delivery cyclists are involved.
• The consequences of being struck by a car coming out of a driveway.

Enforcement

• Stopping cyclists who are cycling on the footpath in areas where it is hazardous.
• Links to other cycling enforcement campaigns are possible.

Events

• Cycle rides or races.
• School events.
• Parent/teacher days.
• Pre-school events or open days.

Related resources

10. Driveway resource – Waitakere/North Shore

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Last updated: 22 February 2007