With the recent tragic indie bike/car accident on Puruatanga Road, it is timely to review a stretch of Kitchener Street which is a potential “accident waiting to happen” scenario viz, the entrance/exit speed limits into and from Martinborough on SH 53 – a state highway until it reaches the Square.
I have lived on Kitchener Street since 1997.
When I began living here, the speed limit was 50kph from the entrance through to the Square and return. For some reason, NZTA increased the 50kph speed at the entrance to 70kph. On the return journey out of Martinborough, the speed was also increased to 70kph just past the Catholic Church, so cars accelerate or slow down past the entrances to four wineries.
On weekends and public holidays this stretch of road is now busy with pedestrians, indie bikes, bicycles and cars all trying to safely negotiate entering or exiting the four cellar doors.
So, the speed limit of 70kph passes four winery entrances with about 50 – 100m between them. They are busy on weekends. The 70kph presents a hazardous challenge to enter or exit these wineries safely across oncoming traffic from either direction.
I request that a review be made of the speed limits of 70kph on this stretch of SH53 with a recommendation they be reduced to the former 50kph because the volume of pedestrians, cyclists and indie bikes has increased since the speed limit was changed upwards to 70kph. Pedestrians cross at will if they judge they can do so safely.
Signs could be strategically placed on this stretch of SH 53 to increase the safety of cyclists/indie bikes and pedestrians.
SH 53 at this location is not as wide as Puruatanga Road (site of February’s fatal bike vs car collision in a 100kph zone) and dedicated bike lanes may be of limited value. Pedestrian crossings may be an impediment to traffic flow.
