Our roads and footpaths belong to everyone.

Our roads and footpaths belong to no one.

If everyone adopted this attitude, like the Germans seem to be able to do, Wellington would be a lot better off. 

Having recently returned from Munich, Berlin and Bonn, it appears that these phlegmatic Europeans have a non-barrieried ability to mix pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, scooterers and trams. Everyone is expected to be responsible, while everyone is aware everyone has the potential to be an idiot.

There’s an awareness that all users have the right to use the street – combined with a lack of personal affront if someone does something unexpected. Everyone displays a lack of attitude, and abundance of patience. It is the only way to safely operate when so many are sharing the same space.

And note: there are no major demarcations on the roads/footpaths (no barriers, no posts), simply some painted lines.

Perhaps it’s a reflection of a difference in our cultures.

Scratch many Kiwis, and we’ll uncover a barely repressed anger.

German society is based on a sense of mutual obligation, shared endeavour and a belief that a rules-based order is benign. Put another way, everyone’s in together, for the common good.

Compare that to us. Thousands of individuals with chips on our shoulders, aggressively defending the space around us – be it in a car, as a cyclist or pedestrian. (Obviously the pedestrian is the least protected in such a situation).

How about we grow up and operate on the basis that our streets belong to everyone, our streets belong to no one.