Central Coast News

Shared pathways are for everyone - education campaign

By Central Coast Council

Archived 8 May 2023 - Posted: 8 Mar 2023

L-R: Bobby Redman (AIRG Member), Maree Jenner (AIRG Member) and Council Administrator Rik Hart

Central Coast Council has installed creative stencils along the Tuggerah Lake Foreshore shared pathway as an education campaign to increase positive attitudes and behaviours towards people with a disability.

This campaign aims to raise awareness of pathway etiquette and safety for everyone and is an action of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2021-2025.

Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart said through consultation in the development of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), community members wanted improved accessibility and inclusion on shared pathways.

“The community told us what was working well for people with a disability and what needed to be improved on the Central Coast,” Mr Hart said.

“The stencils have been designed in consultation with the Access and Inclusion Reference Group (AIRG), Councils Disability Inclusion Officer and Road Safety Officers as part of an ongoing community education campaign about the respectful use of shared pathways across the Central Coast.

“Central Coast Council’s Access and Inclusion Reference Group is made up of people with lived experience of disability and people working in the sector, who guide Council on the implementation of the DIAP.”

Access and Inclusion Reference Group member, Bobby Redman said not all disabilities are visible, and these stencils reflect the many dimensions of disability and diversity of people using the shared pathways, for example, older people, people with hearing, vision and cognitive impairments.

“Through the use of the bright and colourful stencils we aim to engage users of the pathway and promote good etiquette and positive behaviours, to improve access and participation for everyone,” Ms Redman said.

“Let’s keep shared pathways as they have been intended, as a shared, welcoming and safe place for everyone to enjoy!”

Look out for these messages on the shared pathway:
Shared pathways are for everyone
Slow down when passing
Use your bell before passing
Cycle safely
Be Kind - Share this space
Keep Left

Council manages and maintains 893 kms of shared pathways across the Central Coast where you can walk, run, cycle or skate! If you’re looking for a new place to explore and keep fit, here are some sections of the Coast’s most popular and scenic shared pathways to try centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/recreation/parks-and-reserves/shared-pathways

Love Central Coast also has a guide to accessibility on the Central Coast for when you’re planning your next outing on the Coast.

This article archived 8 May 2023