Progress on the 2008 Cycling Policy as at March 2011
Report from Wellington City Council
To date:
Considerable effort has been put in to improve the city's worst performing cycle route between Ngauranga and Featherston Street, work along this route has included:
* Thorndon Quay clearway for southbound morning cyclists, including the associated pedestrian crossing
* New lane arrangements and advanced cycle stop box approaching Bunny Street
* Highlighting potential conflict points with green surfacing on both the Hutt Road shared path and on Thorndon Quay
In coming months an improvement will be made to the exit to spotlight to reduce the number of crashes involving cyclists.
This work has cost approximately $250,000
We have removed parking on the seaward side of Evans Bay Parade through Balaena Bay to complete the on road cycle lane between the Oriental Bay shared path and the Greta Point - Miramar shared path.
We are currently consulting on a proposal to lower the speed limit on Oriental Parade and around the northern Miramar Peninsula roads of Shelly Bay, Massey and Karaka Bay. The proposed 40kmh speed limit is being recommended as a means to improve both areas for cyclists and pedestrians and indicates to drivers that there are other road users whose needs have been considered.
We have commenced work on the Tawa shared cycle path. The Shared Path will provide a safer cycling route and encourage more people to get about on foot or by bike. The five-kilometre path from Willowbank Park to Kenepuru Station will link to nearby streets, the shopping centre and other key spots like railway stations, schools, recreational areas and parks. The path will be 3m wide where possible. The path will eventually link through to Porirua Station. The project is expected to cost $3.5M and will take 7 years to complete.
We have supported the initiative of bells on bikes and have run a campaign highlighting the need to share pathways and gave away a free bell.
We have run a series of adult cycle training days and are working with a number of schools to help deliver cycle training to primary school aged children.
Upcoming work:
Later this year Council will consider the next stage of the cities bus priority network, this could see the introduction of shared bus/cycle lanes on Kent and Cambridge Terraces, Taranaki Street and southbound on Adelaide Road.
Officers are working closely with NZTA to secure good cycling provision though the Basin Reserve and tunnel duplication projects.
Officers have developed a series of improvements to traffic signals on routes into and out of the city, these improvements include advanced cycle stop boxes and where possible feeder lanes to these stop boxes. We will roll these out route by route or take advantage of other works at an intersection.
We have developed a storm water sump detail that is friendlier to cyclists as the grates are not parallel with the kerb, these will be installed on a case by case basis, and we have a list of sumps to progressively work through but would like cyclists to report particularly bad cases.
As winter approaches and daylight savings ends we will be out again working with the NZ Police to remind cyclists about the importance of being seen at night.
We will continue to fund cycle training and support campaigns that highlight the needs of all road users.
There is very limited funding for the installation of new cycle stands and often limited space to install stands on footpaths, however we do consider all requests on a case by case basis. The project currently underway to upgrade lower Cuba Street will see the introduction of a number of new cycle stands.
To report a fault, request cleaning or maintenance contact Council on 499 4444 or email info@wcc.govt.nz for general cycling enquiries or suggestions email cycling@wcc.govt.nz