Letters: City cycle path changes needed

The green corridor through town. PHOTO/FILE

After getting an e-bike some six months ago, my wife and I have ridden all around Rotorua and other out of town easy cycle trails for the purposes of exercise and enjoyment.

In order to reach a specific destination, we have used the City Focus part of the cycle path about three times. On each occasion we have been hindered by Focus activities or footpath signs forcing pedestrians on to the cycle path. People are surprised to see someone on the trail.

When the City Focus re-opens after remodelling, the vehicle flow through the City Focus will increase the hazard to cyclists, thus further reducing any chance of the cycle trail use increasing.

To get from Kurau Park to Hinemoa St, we use our own version of the cycle trail as it is safer for us and pedestrians.

In my view it is now time for the council to abandon their failed City Focus cycle path dream and give cyclists a safe and legal path across town from Kurau Park to Government Gardens.

The only changes required are to:
• make Haupapa St path opposite library from Tutanekai St to Fenton St dual use - this is a low use footpath.
• put a pedestrian/cycle crossing on Fenton St across to police station/council/Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Light-controlled would be best but possibly not essential.
• make Fenton St footpath from police station to Hinemoa St dual use - again low use.
• Give Tutanekai St cycle path back to the pedestrians.

R P McCULLY
Rotorua

Bad tip Paula
I am shocked to read that Paula Bennett, a minister if the crown, recommends introducing tipping. It is a sick system used in countries where employees get low wages or even no wages and depend on tipping.

They become professional beggars, hanging around like a bad smell until you finally dig into your pocket. Employees here get paid to give clients a good service, and in general they do. If they don't they get fired.

I have seen it regularly overseas that tourists with a fat wallet get a better service than local people who have to take second place. How awful. Our no tipping policy is one of the attractive features of New Zealand.

For years I have been involved showing tourists around. The first thing I always told them is: "No tipping, the price on the ticket is the amount you pay", and they liked it.

HARRY BRASSER
Rotorua

Own home a choice
Re: House a right for all Kiwis.

What a load of preventable (rubbish). It's all about choice. Some make the sacrifice and save and make the right decisions to be able to buy an affordable home while others waste money on flash cars and stereos, book everything up to the max and wonder why they've got no money.

I agree there shouldn't be any homeless people but you can't make a law to stop you from owning more than one house. We are not a communist country.

GAVIN MUIR
Rotorua