Thumbs up to dogs, beers and scooters

TANYA MURPHY

THE Cairns Regional Council’s annual “Our Cairns” survey is creating much discussion among local residents about whether dogs, cyclists and electric scooters should be allowed on CBD footpaths, and whether consumption of alcohol should be allowed on the Esplanade.

Cairns Local News found several locals enjoying their breakfast at the Lillypad Café on Grafton Street on Tuesday and heard their views on these issues.

Cairns local Chris Green said he had already filled out the survey and that in his opinion, cyclists, skateboards and electric scooters should be given designated lanes on the road.

“When we visited Paris we saw that they have electric scooters everywhere and we should be looking at moving towards that sort of green friendly style of city,” said Chris.

“I previously lived in Denmark and they have specific lanes on the road for bicycles and electric scooters and that’s what we should have here.

“I definitely don’t think they should be allowed on the footpath because there are too many people and kids there and it’s possible for a pedestrian to be seriously injured by a collision with a cyclist.

“I do think dogs should be allowed in the city as long as people clean up after them, and I think it’s okay for people to drink alcohol on the Esplanade as long as they do it responsibly and don’t litter.”

Greg and Karen Caulfield agreed that electric scooters were popular in other cities, but that they should be in the bike lane on a road and should use helmets.

“The city footpaths have too many seated dining areas and pedestrians for people to ride scooters, bicycles and skateboards there,” said Karen.

“It’s okay for people to have a few beers on the Esplanade as long as they’re not drunk and disorderly, and dogs should be allowed as long as they’re on leads.

“But what we’d really like to see is more free parking!”

Rebecca Brooks said she’d love to bring her dog into the CBD if more places allowed it.

“At Trinity Beach I always take my dog with me to the local café,” she said.

“But it depends on the type of dog, big dogs would be more difficult.”

She also said it was stressful to drive with cyclists on the road.

“I’d prefer it if they were on the footpath, or on a lane that’s further away from traffic,” she said.

There is still plenty of time for people to have their say, as the survey is open until 5pm on Friday October 16.

Visit the Cairns Regional Council website to complete the online survey, or pick up a hard-copy survey form from Council’s Customer Service Centre at Spence Street, or your nearest library branch.

Greg and Karen Caulfield