Editor:
On Tuesday, Sept. 6 I had the misfortune to be ejected from my mobility scooter and suffered a serious head and face injury from striking the sidewalk. An ambulance was called and I was taken to hospital for treatment.
I wish to address two matters regarding this situation.
The first is to warn other wheelchair and mobility scooter users of the extreme danger they face when attempting to use the crossing at the Gibsons Way/School Road intersection. The pedestrian button they need to push is located on a pole on a rise and is extremely difficult for someone in a wheelchair or scooter to access. In many cases they need to reach up and lean over as I did, which sent me tumbling on to the unforgiving pavement.
I have so far survived 94 years on this fine planet and it would have been an inglorious end to a full and meaningful life to have lost it due to the poor design of a public amenity.
There is another point of confusion at this light. Another button is posted on another pole right where pedestrians wait to cross Gibsons Way. However, it is not intended for pedestrians but cyclists, which is good for the cyclists but there is no notification of this for the pedestrians. Many first-time users make the mistake of first attempting this button. If it is a wheelchair or scooter user, then they face a precarious situation. A sign that can be read from the pedestrian’s perspective would prove very useful.
Can this matter please be referred to the town engineer, or whoever is responsible, to be addressed and rectified in the most expedient manner before someone else is seriously injured or worse.
Lilie Eidet, Gibsons
