Glass on Roads

Commuting and urban cyclists often comment about broken glass on the roads, especially at the edge where cyclists generally ride.  Unless you have re-inforced tyres (a good idea!) which most commuters don't have, flats are a risk. Of course they never happen just after you've been over the glass, it's some random time later when you don't have the time to repair a puncture that the glass works its way through to the tube.  Let us know how you rate the prevalence of glass on Palmy's roads.

Hi Phil, yes - the glass seems to be the biggest problem between the pubs and the university. Maybe I'm more aware of this because I'm a regular commter of that route....

It's a shame in a way that government, or even local government don't seem keen to return to refunds for bottles. I'm sure if that was brought back in, we would see a dramatic reduction in the amount about... in between time, I'll continue to kick the glass aside to a 'safe' place whenever I walk to work 

Hello, There are two types of glass on the road; those tiny slivers from either a broken bottle or a shattered window, and bottles ready to be smashed. 

Please don't kick the bottle to the side of the road, pick it up (carefully!) and deposit it in the rubbish or in a recycling bin.  This keeps the road and footpath clear of potential danger.

The amount of broken glass on the roads in Palmy North is shocking, and far more ant anywhere I've been - including a war zone or two.  In a war zone I can understand if there isn't enough rubbish / recycling bins around, but in this place it is as though people are just too lazy to dispose of left-over material properly.  As for when accidents occur, my understanding is that it is a requirement for the person who tows the car away to clear the road of debris.  Often clearing an accident is about getting the road traffic (read - cars) moving.  Clearing glass hazards from cyclists is of secondary concern.  And as for the number of car break-ins through the window leaving puddles of glass on the side of the road, well, sometimes in town it is like a flood.

Does the PNCC still have a hotline to report locations of glass on the road?  I guess the best way is to have your tyres pumped up hard, have kevlar strips inside the tyre, and check your bike tyres every now and then.

Yours,
Moonbeam

In answer to your query about PNCC, yes there is a hotline, staffed 24/7 where you can report broken glass (and any other maintenance issue).  Call 356 8199 and be prepared to specify the location of the glass accurately (i.e. side of road, address of house it's outside, etc) as a vehicle is dispatched to clean it up and drivers sometimes have trouble finding the glass. You can also e-mail to info@pncc.govt.nz

Wearing my other hat (PNCC City Councillor) a report is coming to Council on litter in preparation for considering the Annual Plan. Many City Councillors are determined to address the problem of litter.

As far as glass goes, a lot of people have been saying to me that cheap alcohol should not be sold in glass containers. Since glass is not recycled to any great extent in NZ any more, it makes sense to use aluminium which is. Probably the best way to do this is (on a national level) tax glass alcohol containers. Discerning drinkers of boutique beverages will not mind paying the extra for a glass container and the yobbos who throw containers out the window of their car or drop it in the gutter as they stagger home won't care what it comes in.

Your views would be welcome.

There will probably always be glass on roads whether it's rubbish, bottles or automotive. Your best bet is to protect yourself against punctures by going down to Crank It and grabbing puncture resistant tyres. I have Kevlar tyres on my town bike and have had no trouble even after riding through glass.
Certainly if there is an amount of glass causing a hazard give the council a ring (3568199) to get it cleaned up and in the meantime do what you can to lessen the risk to yourself.