4m wide National Cycleway

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4m wide National Cycleway

Submitted by GraemeH on 10 June, 2009 - 10:53
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A 4m wide national cycleway track that  is silly.

My suggestion is:

Urban & shared with walkers: 2.5m wide

Rural: 2m wide

 

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/10/1245b5acf785

Updated at 8:48am on 10 June 2009Building cycle tracks as part of the Government's proposed national cycleway could cost as much as $100,000 per kilometre on moderate terrain.Cabinet papers obtained by Radio New Zealand under the Official Information Act reveal the costs are much higher on difficult terrain.However officials also expect significant economic benefits from the cycleway.On open, flat terrain with good access, the cost of building a four metre wide gravel cycleway is about $20,000 per kilometre.But on tough terrain, where there is no road access and bridges and other structures need to be built, the cost exceeds $250,000 per kilometre.Officials say the proposal, which the Government will spend $50 million on over the next three years, will boost regional economies in the short-term and provide long-term economic benefits. 

Submitted by Unity on 11 June, 2009 - 09:56

Gravel! What are we supposed to do with gravel? That sounds like a lot of accidents and loss of flesh to me - evidently this new cycleway is only for serious mountain bikers. Odd that, as the majority of cycle tourists that I have seen have comfort/transport bikes that are appropriate for carrying themselves and their stuff long distances.

Unity

Auckland Cycle Chic

Submitted by maxwel on 11 June, 2009 - 10:52

I had a meeting with Angus Davidson, the Ministry of Tourism project manager for the National Cycleway, yesterday in Christchurch.

The source of the above is some material that they had to release to the media through the official information act. The material was collated before the overall project had been given any solid direction. There is absolutely no basis to any of the information that the media are now talking about. Don't worry about width, cost or surface material - none of this has been decided on as yet.

Submitted by stephenw on 11 June, 2009 - 11:31

I imagine than an unpaved surface is cheaper and easier, but don't think of "gravel" as automatically being loose gravel requiring a mountain bike, The Otago Central Rail trail, which goes past my front gate, has a well packed dirt/gravel surface and comfort/hybrid bikes are absolutely ideal for it. All the gravel roads in this area are just the same.

however, I usually still use State Highway 85 to ride my 16 km to work (rather than the rail trail) because the traffic doesn't worry me, I have right of way at intersections, and my bike stays cleaner.

Stephen Wood , based in Central Otago

Submitted by Scorcher on 11 June, 2009 - 13:19

Hey Stephen
I wish I could live next door to you...
The Other Stephen