Footpath parking a safety concern, not just an inconvenience
Footpath parking a safety concern, not just an inconvenience
The Wairarapa Road Safety Council is drawing attention to the issue of footpath parking following new research presented at the 2026 Transportation Conference, which explores why drivers park on footpaths — and the real harm it causes to those who walk and wheel.
The research, presented by Dr Chris Teo-Sherrell and Jeanette Ward of Living Streets Aotearoa, identifies seven reasons drivers park on footpaths, ranging from intensification pressures and car dependence, to simple inconsideration for pedestrians and other footpath users.
Holly Hullena of the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, who recently commented on the broader debate around footpath safety in the Wairarapa — including driveway crashes and proposals around cycling on footpaths — says the issue is part of a larger picture.
“Whether it’s bikes, cars, or driveways, what we keep coming back to is that our footpaths need to be safe for everyone using them. Parking on the footpath forces pedestrians and cyclists off the path and into the road — and that risk is not equal for everyone.”
— Holly Hullena, Wairarapa Road Safety Council
This is particularly concerning for children. Young children are not only expected to cycle on footpaths — it is the appropriate and legal place for them to do so — but they are also among the most vulnerable footpath users for a reason many people may not be aware of: peripheral vision in children is not fully developed until around the age of 10. This means younger children have a significantly narrower field of vision than adults, making it harder for them to see around obstacles, anticipate hazards, or spot an approaching vehicle when they are forced off the footpath.
“When a car is parked on the footpath, a young child on a bike has to make a judgement call in traffic that their developing vision simply isn’t equipped to handle safely. It’s not a minor inconvenience — it can be genuinely dangerous.”
— Holly Hullena, Wairarapa Road Safety Council
The research also highlights that the current $70 fine for footpath parking may not be a sufficient deterrent, and that deeply ingrained attitudes around car ownership and entitlement to public space are key drivers of the behaviour.
The Wairarapa Road Safety Council encourages drivers to consider the full picture of who uses our footpaths, and supports education and advocacy efforts to make footpaths safe for all ages and abilities.
To learn more about the research and Living Streets Aotearoa’s advocacy on this issue, visit:
https://livingstreets.org.nz/why-do-people-park-on-the-footpath/
To learn more about the research and Living Streets Aotearoa’s advocacy on this issue, visit:
https://www.mstn.govt.nz/rules-regulations-and-licenses/parking/parking-complaints
Issued by: Wairarapa Road Safety Council
Contact: Holly Hullena
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The Wairarapa Road Safety Council works to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Wairarapa roads through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
