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Submissions

Dunedin City Council Trading in Public Places Bylaw 2025

Posted in Regional; Tagged Accessibility, Parks and recreation; Posted 9 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Dunedin City Council
Date: June 2025

 

Purpose

This submission aims to provide feedback to the Dunedin City Council on the Trading in Public Places Bylaw review 2025. DPA's primary concern is to ensure pedestrian safety, particularly for disabled pedestrians, by advocating for the retention of "pedestrian access" terminology and restrictions on micromobility vehicles, such as e-scooters in public trading areas.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA welcomes the opportunity to give feedback to the Dunedin City Council on the Trading in Public Places Bylaw review 2025. DPA supports all proposals contained in the review's statement of proposal, except one.

DPA is concerned about the proposal to amend the bylaw by changing all references from 'pedestrian access' to 'footpath access'. This change, DPA argues, carries significant risk to pedestrians, including disabled pedestrians who utilise footpaths, especially when permitted trading activities are undertaken. DPA refers to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) 2004 definition of a pedestrian, which explicitly includes "a person in a wheelchair and a number of other users," to support their view that "pedestrian access" is a more inclusive and appropriate term.

If Council adopted this definition, it would open the way for micromobility/e-scooter users to use these vehicles in public spaces.

 

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA asks that Council either heavily restrict or ban the use of micromobility vehicles, like e-scooters, in all outdoor spaces where public trading is being conducted.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

If micromobility vehicles are added into the mix where trading is undertaken (e.g., the Octagon), it will create a hugely unsafe environment for disabled people and other pedestrians.

 

Supporting Statement 2:

This measure would directly protect pedestrian safety, which is a key concern for disabled people using footpaths.

 
 

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DPA Submission 2506 Dunedin City Council Trading in Public Places Bylaw 2025

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