North Taranaki Cycle Advocates

June 3, 2009

MINUTES

Chair:  Graeme

Note Taker:  Stuart

Present:  Alan, Graeme, Stuart, Gaye, Nathaniel

Apologies:  Joanne

1.  Cycle lane trouble spots:

• Coronation Ave where it swings onto old Coronation Ave - cars turning left repeatedly pull into the cycle lane and cut bicycles off. This area really needs a green lane to increase bicycle safety.
• Going downhill past Boys High on Coronation Ave - cars repeatedly pulling into cycle lane.

2.  Oral submission LTCCP - Alan and Graeme will be speaking to the submission Alan wrote on behalf of NTCA on Fri June 5th between 2-3 pm.  The officers' reports have recommended no change to the draft plan (in other words they disagree with allocating additional funding for 2009-10 to improve cycle safety - by implementing the Cycle Strategy the NPDC has agreed to).  The NTCA submission is addressed in the following officers reports:

• Roads 1 - the officer recommends no change except for $100,000 increase in the operations budget ($75,000 to come from NZTA) for the Sustainable Transport Coordinator.

Our response - NTCA wants to support the officer's recommendation.

• Roads 8 - the officer recommends extended the coastal pathway to Bell Block.

Our response - NTCA supports this recommendation.

• Roads 4 - NTCA feels NPDC needs to make it a higher prior to make rural recreational cycle routes and verges safer. There also needs to be a major revision to Council's urban design protocol to make sure new development allows for walkways and cycles. NPDC has a clear obligation to make the District transportation network accessible to users other than cars.
• Roads 11 - the officer recommends no additional allocation to improve cycle safety by making the cycle lane revisions in the NPDC cycling strategy.

Our response - NPDC needs to make cyclist safety a much higher priority.

• Parks 53 - the officer recommends funding for a coastal way courtesy campaign and a survey in the summer months to determine the ration of cyclists to pedestrians.

Our response:  NTCA supports this

• Parks 54 - officer recommends upgrade of steps on Te Henui walkway (to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles be put off until 2012-15 LTCCP

Our response - NTCA is thrilled with recent improvements, especially access off Cumberland St and have noted big increase in usage of elderly with walkers, strollers, etc.  However, we are disappointed nothing is to be done about the steps as this is a potential tourist attraction.  It would not be very expensive to install a wheel path next to the steps and the current state of the steps is definitely a hazard.

• Wastewater 1 - The pipeline to Waitara is to be postponed until 2016-2016.

NTCA are disappointed the Waitara/NP sewer upgrade is not going to happen until 2015 as the Coastal Pathway extension to Waitara was to be installed as a deck over the bridge carrying the sewer pipe.

3.  Cycling conference - Nathaniel, Graeme and Anthony will be meeting to determine what role NTCA will play in the Nov 12-13 cycling conference. 

4.  Nathaniel reported on upcoming initiatives by the Sustainable Transport Coordinator

• Pathway Courtesy Campaign (Aug 8-9 or 15-16) - This will consist of an advertising campaign and a procession along the walkway led by Motorua School that will pick up other schools along the way and finish at Puke Ariki landing. Theme will be for bicycles and pedestrians using the Coast Pathway to show courtesy and respect for each other. There will be an opportunity for interested groups to have stalls.
• Davies Lane - Say No to Cars campaign July 2nd - to encourage parents not to use Davies Lane when they drop kids off at West End Primary.
• Lobbying with Roading Dept to repaint cycle symbols on cycle lanes they have remarked - ideally every 50 metres. Is about to do newspaper campaign followed by stronger police enforcement of people who drive and park in cycle lanes. He has some Living Streets notices NTCA members can place on the windshields of cars that park illegally in cycle lanes and will leave a box of them at NPDC reception.
• Nathaniel also has a bright yellow car door he plans to carry on his bicycle to publicise that drivers should try not to open car doors into cyclists.
• The Critical Mass rides are in recess because no one is turning up any more.
• The Te Henui commute map is almost ready and the Huatoki map is in progress.

5.  Graeme announced that CAN is wanting articles to promote NP in preparation for the upcoming cycling conference.  Alan is willing to work with CAN on an article about some good New Plymouth rides.  Nathaniel will contact Selwyn about possibly organising a ride to coincide with the conference.  Alan to discuss with Gaye on options and we need to get in contact with Stephen Wood to let him know Alan is the contact.

6.  Next meeting - Wed July 1^st - location to be announced.