Sandwich-boards: an accident waiting to happen?
I was contacted by a reporter this morning who was wondering if I’d had any feedback on how wheelchair users feel about sandwich-boards cluttering up footpaths, particularly in busy hospitality-filled areas like Ponsonby. In my personal experience, I’ve had to frequently roll down a nearby curb-cut and scoot along the road for 50 metres or so, purely because there was no room on the footpath for my wheelchair after the sandwich-boards, tables and chairs had monopolised most of it! If you’re unsure what I mean by sandwich-boards, they’re those advertising ‘wedges’, often made of wood and stand like a triangle on the footpath, usually advertising a cafe or restaurant nearby. Check out the picture on the left for an example.
So what I want to know is what experiences have you had with negotiating sandwich-boards as a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or cane user? Are they a necessary evil or should they be done away with completely? Sound off in the comments below!
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Grrrr these things are annoying! I, like you, are frequently having to weave in and out or go on the road, but its the people with vision impairments that I really feel for. What were your comments to the reporter?
Hey Rachel,
Yeah my comments were very much along those lines, that they can often put wheelchair users in life-threatening situations, and as unlikely as it might be that we would actually get hit by a car, it'd be a pity to go down all thanks to a sandwich board, huh?!
I'd really like to hear from those with a vision impairment as well, I might go have a chat to the person who runs lowvisionary.com…
Pavement clutter is a constant hazard for us partials and blindies. Wellington footpaths are every bit as bad as Auckland. The boards are supposed to have solid bases so canes won't slide underneath without indicating an obstacle, and so they won't blow around. They are also supposed to be on the outer edge of the pavement so there is a central clear path.
I find overhanging tree branches, scafolding and unfenced road works just as bad too.
People might have heard the item on the news about research on abuse of mobility parks – apparently there is no one type of culprit. Everyone does it. A bit depressing eh!
I can think of 2 sandwich boards in Christchurch that I really hate as they both are situated on footpaths, where the footpaths are made narrrower for buses to stop. I would hate to think what it is like for people with low vision or blindness. I agree with robin about the unfenced roadworks
Yep Sandwhich boards for me are evil either with my cane or my wheelchair.I have almost fallen over many.
As for unfenced Road works….grrrr
Sandwhich boards are to be done with I reckon as the shop owners have NO idea.
Yup, causes BIG problems for a lot of blind/low vision pedestrians. Used to work as a mobility instructor and had endless battles with shopkeepers who refused to cooperate. Even if they were all placed next to the curb along a stretch of pavement leaving (hopefully) one side free rather than having to perform a slalom around randomly placed boards, that would be a good start!