7 September, 2026

Shopkeepers almost run down going about their business

Danger signs… Madhu Keshav and Bruce Farrell were almost hit taking in their business sign from the footpath

Closing up shop in Takapuna almost ended in disaster for two business owners narrowly missed by footpath e-scooter racers.
Music dealer Bruce Farrell and shoe repairman Madhu “Mike” Keshav were taking in their business signs from the footpath at 5.15pm on a Wednesday. Two steps from the alleyway, what appeared to be an e-scooter race between two teenagers came “tearing down” the Lake Rd footpath.
One scooter ran over Keshav’s foot run over, and Farrell noted the person on the scooter was not wearing a helmet.
“Another scooter rider stopped and asked how we were, and we said ‘Okay, but a little shaken’.”
“Worst-case scenario, we would have both been knocked down and the scooter rider would have gone down also.”

Keshav said he was not injured, but the footpath was not the right place for racing. “It was a bit of a shock.”
Farrell said allowing scooters on the footpath is an “accident waiting to happen”.
“You see them numerous times weaving around people at speed,” he said. “We have elderly and mums with kids and prams on this footpath, and no way of knowing what these kids are going to do next.”
He said e-scooters belong on the road, and riders should wear helmets and have a minimum licensed age of 16 years.
The men are calling for the government and council to make footpaths safer for pedestrians.
Farrell said he has approached North Shore MP Simon Watts about the issue but is waiting to hear back. He also took his concerns to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board at its community forum.

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