Save our safe speeds around our schools

Auckland Transport is working towards implementing the government’s “Kafkaesque” speed rule with wide spread reversals of safe speeds across Auckland planned to be in place by 1 July.  The current safe speeds around schools are working to reduce death and serious injuries and encourage more children to walk, scoot or bike to school.   In the inner West it includes the safe speed zones around Ponsonby, Freeman’s Bay and Newton schools and pre-schools.  You can find exactly which parts of your community are getting affected either on this link Speed limit reversal interactive map or on this Detailed list of streets getting a speed limit reversal

The reversals are going to result in unnecessary harm and do nothing to improve congestion.  For  Road Safety Week  (12 – 16 May) Grey Lynn 2030 is joining the call to save Auckland’s safe streets.  This is perfect time to ask your local leaders to “Be a Road Safety Hero”.  Let them know your community and school’s views.

Email your letter to the relevant local and national leaders (contact list below).  The key person is the Minister of Transport. He holds the key to making common-sense amendments to the speed rule to allow AT to take into account public support for retaining safe speeds

• Transport Minister Chris Bishop (C.Bishop@ministers.govt.nz)
• Auckland Transport Board of Directors (BoardSecretary@at.govt.nz)
• Auckland Transport Chief Executive Dean Kimpton (chief.executive@at.govt.nz)
• Auckland Transport Chair Richard Leggat (richard.leggat@at.govt.nz)
• Auckland Mayor Wayne Browne (mayor.wayne.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)
• Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson (desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)
• Your local Ward Councillor/s (find your local councillor email addresses here)
• Your Local Board (find your local board email addresses here)

Here’s a Draft Letter to get you started 

Urgent Appeal: Retain life-Saving 30 km Speed Limits near our XXX School

Kia ora Minister Bishop [cc relevant local and national leaders]

We, the undersigned parents, teachers, and staff of the [Name of School(s) community, are writing with deep concern regarding the proposed reversal of the current safe speed zone around our school.

Since the implementation of these lower speed limits, we have witnessed a significant and positive change in how our students travel to and from school.

More students are choosing to walk and bike, fostering independence, healthy habits, and a stronger connection with their friends. These streets are the arteries of our school community – where children walk and cycle with their friends, and where parents feel confident allowing them to do so.

Reversing these crucial speed limits would directly compromise the safety and well-being of our students:

• Increased risk to our children: Parents will understandably be far more hesitant to allow their children to walk or bike independently, leading to increased anxiety and a reduction in active travel.
• Higher traffic congestion around schools: If walking and biking become perceived as unsafe, we anticipate an increase in parents driving their children, exacerbating traffic congestion during already busy school drop-off and pick-up times.
• Undermining our efforts to promote healthy lifestyles: Our schools actively encourage walking and biking as part of a healthy lifestyle. Reverting to higher speeds sends the wrong message and hinders these efforts.
• Weekend and after school hours: While we have staffed crossings at drop off times, our school grounds are used by young people outside of the busy drop off and pick up time for sports and also as a play space.

[Add a specific school-related example here, e.g., “Since the 30 km/h zone was introduced on xxx Street, we’ve seen a noticable increase in the number of students using our bike racks, and fewer near-miss incidents reported.”]

The safety of our students is our main concern. We implore you to prioritise their well-being and the positive impact these lower speed limits have had on our school community. We urge you to retain the 30 km/h zones on the streets surrounding our schools. We are available to discuss this further and thank you for considering the safety and future of our tamariki.

Ngā mihi,

The [Name of School(s)] Community [Optional: Include a space for signatures or indicate the signatories, e.g., “Representing the Parent Teacher Association, School Board, and Staff of [Name of School(s)]”]