Quiz the candidates: Wellington council elections 2013

Which candidates love bikes?

We worked with the lovecycling campaign to send some bikey questions to the candidates for October's local elections. Here are the questions, and the answers they gave. The answers are in this order:

mayoral candidates
candidates for the WCC wards
candidates for the GWRC electorates.

Within each section, the candidates are in alphabetical order by name. The different roles have a different link to cycling policy and spending, and you'll see that reflected in their answers.

The questions we asked

How much does the Council (City or Regional as applicable) spend on cycling infrastructure per person, per year?
How much should it spend? (for comparison, the Netherlands spends NZ$50 per person, per year)
Would you remove some roadside parking if it was the only way to add safe cycle infrastructure on a key route?
At the end of the next Council term, what new cycling development would you most like to see in place?

Candidates for Mayor

Rob Goulden (candidate for Mayor and WCC Eastern Ward)

1. I am not on the present Council and have know idea what WCC or GWRC spend on cycling.

2. We have 180,000 people in Wellington and at $50.00 per person we would be spending $9.0 million per year if we were to adopt the Netherlands standards. I think that figure would be too high given Councils other committments.

3. Yes I would be happy to remove some parking to create better cycle ways.

4. I would like to see some part of the Great Harbour Way completed. The bays around the Miramar Penninsula would be a good start.

John Morrison

1. About $10 per head

2. First we need a proposal and a plan, which we agree on. Then we cost it. Then we divide it by the population to get a per head spend. We will spend as much as it takes to get the job done.

3. Yes but... Wellington is very short of carparks and where carparks are required the situation needs to be mitigated by an alternative car parking space.

4. Safe Cycle ways from all of our main urban areas into the city. A BMX track at Ian Galloway. An internationally recognised mountain bike competition and international marketing of Wellington's mountain bike trails.

Karunanidhi Muthu

No response.

Celia Wade-Brown

1. We've increased the spend from under $100,000 in 2008 to over $500,000 p.a to $1.8m this financial year, a mix of capital expenditure and design work. Given our city population is over 200,000 that's about $9 per capita.

This term we've almost completed Tawa Valley Path (with rail crossings, reserve sections, river bridges and new sections of shared footpath). We've removed parking at Balaena Bay, added more cycle-friendly grates, slowed some speeds and done initial planning for nineteen routes. There's much more to do.

2. A modern city must provide well for cycling. Cycling is good for health, low-cost and reduces congestion (and it's fun). Cyclists shop and cycling tourist spend more than the average tourist. Electric-assist bikes will increase people's range and encourage more to ride.

I'm prepared to invest at least $5million p.a on infrastructure and attract as much subsidy from NZTA as possible. The amount per capita is a bit of a distraction as if the population increased it would be cheaper per person but even more useful. We need to spend enough to make a real difference to people wanting to cycle - currently 17% say they'd like to cycle to work.

I'll continue to push for a high quality Hutt-Wellington route, expecting that the NZTA will fund most of this this as it's a glaring deficiency on the SH2. We've succeeded in getting this prioritised in the Regional Transport Programme. The Great Harbour Way will be a magnificent tourist, commuting and recreational provision. It will link with the new Great Ride from Petone to the Wairarapa along the River Trail and over the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

3. We can design some routes through reserves and in slow-speed shared zones but sometimes some parking spaces will have to be removed. There may need to be new places found for residents or shopper car parks.

4 We're a world-class mountain-biking destination and on-road access to Miramar, Makara Peak, Te Kopahou, Polhill and the Wainuiomata hills, among other great routes, should be safe and obvious. We need to work on these in stages so these are my suggestions for priority within the next three years. I look forward to cyclists' input into these priorities.

Jack Yan

1. Wellington City spends an abysmal amount and I would guess it's in the $1–$1·50 region.

2. They are looking at larger budgets there nationally. I'd like to see it increased by working with NZTA. If they're talking about providing eight-figure budgets to us, then I cannot fathom why it does not provide for cycling. I would rather not give an exact figure but it is my intent to have it reflect the growth in cycling. As 5 per cent of Wellingtonians adopt cycling as a mode of transport, then it would make sense for the total transportation budget to reflect this trend.

3. Yes, but Martin Hanley's proposals suggest that we can preserve a lot of parking. I'd like CAW's feedback on those.

4. More cycleways, starting from the south of the city to the CBD, beyond Ngauranga and to Petone, if not further, and the percentage of cyclists forming a larger share of total road users.

My idea of two market weekends during the summer, where we adopt the car-free days' models in Europe, will not only allow Wellingtonians to enjoy the central city, but allow us to study routes with a view to greater pedestrianization and cycling. I frequently go to Europe and am on the board of a company operating in Sweden, and I've always been impressed by their bicycle usage (not as great as in København, Denmark, but still substantial compared to here).

Beyond the health benefits are environmental ones, which will help us achieve a low-carbon future.

Nicola Young (candidate for Mayor and WCC Lambton Ward)

1. About $24, I think.

2. Not sure; certainly more - need to encourage cycling, and make it safer, so it becomes a transport option for everyone - as it is in many cities in Europe.

3. I'd certainly consider it seriously; we need safe cycle routes.

4. I'd like to see one route across town where cyclists get priority and are safe from traffic; the only ways are either separation (from traffic) or isolation (from traffic). And more bike stands - there aren't enough in Wellington, as I know from my personal experience.

Wellington City Council

Eastern Ward

Sarah Free

1. Greater Wellington doesn't have a budget for cycling infrastructure. However, the Regional Transport Committee does have responsibility for producing a regional network cycle plan, and has some say on programmes in the Land Transport Programme funding through NZTA. These now include cycling infrastructure projects such as the Great Harbour Way and the Petone to Nguaranga cycle/walk way.

Funding has recently been allocated for the design phase of the Petone to Nguaranga cycleway, and the project was extended to include the whole route from Hutt city through to Wellington city in August. However, the total cycling funding allocation for cycling infrastructure is less than 1% of funding of the regional transport projects  2. There is virtually no cycling infrastructure, so we are starting well behind. Christchurch is spending $69 million over 5 years or around $14 million a year. The Petone-Ngaranga cycleway was costed at $50 million, but that was before the idea of incorporating it with a seawall was mooted. I'd be happy to commit $20 million a year, for three years, and then review. Thats slightly less than the Netherlands $50 per person per year, but should at least get something started. By then more people might be cycling, and more expenditure could be justified.  Funding could be justifiecd on reduction in injuries and deaths, health and other benefits.  Cycle training and skills programmes must be returned to all primary schools within one to two years, and this should be a separate item funding by central government as part of the normal eduction programme.

3. Yes. If some car parking was areally necessary, there could be other ways of providing it.

4. A completed Island Bay to City commuter route. After that, finishing the Great Harbour Way.

Rob Goulden (candidate for Mayor and WCC Eastern Ward)

1. I am not on the present Council and have know idea what WCC or GWRC spend on cycling.

3. Yes I would be happy to remove some parking to create better cycle ways.

4. I would like to see some part of the Great Harbour Way completed. The bays around the Miramar Penninsula would be a good start

Peter Kennedy

1/- No idea, but I do know it has lagged behind what it should be. In the past, I have lobbied the head of the transport portfolio, Andy Foster, but my concerns fell on deaf ears. His response was quite arrogant, cyclists could cycle at their own risk. I came from Christchurch, and we had a real culture of cycling there. Not so here in Wellington.

2/- Realistically, there is a bit of ‘catch-up' mode to get some cycle lanes put in that should already be in place, but there is also a bit of fiscal restraint because of the ‘out-of-control' spending we have seen from this Council over the past few years. I also find it hard to fathom why, when we do ‘up-grades' we do not put in cycle lanes at the same time, rather than trying to fit them retrospectively.

3/- No, not unless there was no other alternative. Personally, I like the Danish/Dutch model where the cycle lane runs just outside the footpath, but inside the parked cars wherever possible. To me, that version makes sense.

4/- A network of cycle lanes, that are connected, and that are used by people of various ages. We seem to be too willing to chuck money at consultants, when good old commonsense is what is needed. I grew up riding a bicycle to school, in 10 years' time, that would be the ‘culture' I'd love to see here in Wellington. 3 years is unrealistic.

Thanks for allowing me to take part in this survey. Cycling is important. But remember, when the weather turns to rubbish, most people won't want to cycle.

Lambton Ward

Milton Hollard

1. Perhaps $9.62 (being $1,800,000 provided in Wellington City Council’s Annual Plan divided by total population of 187,100 based on a GWRC handout). This is a teaser!

2. I don’t favour a fixed formula (no Council should agree to such an absolutist proposition for any category of spending) but maybe $5M.

3. Yes, diabolical though parking is in parts of Wellington, especially to ensure joined-up cycleways.

4. A cycleway from Courtenay Place through Kent Terrace, Adelaide Rd to Constable St. But you tell me; the Council should have been consulting with you and kindred organisations on the key routes that cyclists would most use, whether travelling to work or school or recreationally. I gather 9 cycleways are in fact being developed, and that completing the Great Harbour Cycleway finds favour with many. For some routes, such as Shelley Bay and Massey Roads, motorists need to recognise that they are essentially scenic and recreational and not a way to get anywhere fast.

I favour separating cyclists and pedestrians from vehicular traffic wherever practicable.

Iona Pannett

1. The City Council will spend around $519,000 in operating expenditure over the next financial year and $1.5m on capital expenditure. On the basis of a population of around 200,000, that is around $10 per person over the next year.

2. We should at least start with tripling the spend over the next year with plans to steadily increase it over the next 20 years. I would also like to see NZTA spend less money on road construction and more on cycling.

3. Yes, I have consistently supported the removal of parking to assist cyclists for example along Thorndon Quay. Ideally however, we would develop more cycle routes and shared spaces as the removal of parking is contentious and doesn't facilitate buy in from retailers and motorists.

4. There are many initiatives that I would like to see put in place at the end of the three years so will choose one supported by other priorities.

Reducing speed limits throughout the city is something that I think would help cyclists as well as other road users. WCC has introduced 30km speed limits around many suburban shopping centres which has been a great initiative. We can however go further and introduce whole suburb speed limits as well as restrictions throughout the CBD. Reducing speeds is critical to safety as cyclists and pedestrians are far more likely to survive a crash with a car or truck if the other vehicle is going at 30km rather than 50km or 70km. Reducing the speeds would also make the whole environment more attractive. The CBD would be my first priority area for reducing speeds.

Other initiatives that I would like to see include:

• The Great Harbour Way

• Route between Wellington and the Hutt Valley completed

• Island Bay to CBD route completed

• More cycling lanes, separated from traffic throughout the CBD

• Higher profile for cycling throughout the city and a strong commitment from the whole of Council to get more people cycling.

Mark Peck

1. "I dont know."

2. "Not sure. The City should avail itself of any Government funds available for cycle ways and supplement it."

3. "so long as this does not interfere with loading zones and "Mobility Parking" and sufficient alternative parking is available to meet parking demand in the vicinity."

4. "Really don't know. I have heard a lot of discussion about cycling. As one who conspires routinely to fall off anything with two wheels I am not the best to comment. However, it is clear that more needs to be done for cycle safety and I wish you well in your endeavours."

Stephen Preston

1. Not enough! Cycling development at Council level appears to be more about rhetoric and less about fronting up to the challenge. While we have some good off road experiences for cyclists, the onroad opportunities need to be improved.

2. I would prefer to use the word invest. I believe that immediate action should be taken towards making a dedicated cycleway network throughout the urban centres. This would be an investment as it would reduce congestion significantly, provide a safer environment for cyclists and motorists, deliver increased health benefits to our community, move more money away from fossil fuels into the pockets of businesses in our city, and have a significant impact on reducing our carbon emissions and addressing climate change challenges. Definitely something worth investing in the way many nordic countries have.  3. Yes, definitely. I believe that parking needs to be addressed in more innovative ways and that roadside parking should be reduced in favour of cycleways.  4. At the end of the current term I would certainly like to see cycleway improvements through the central city, widening of current cycleways and reduction of on road parking, and the creation of an Island Bay to CBD cycleway.

Nicola Young (candidate for Mayor and WCC Lambton Ward)

1. About $24, I think.

2. Not sure; certainly more - need to encourage cycling, and make it safer, so it becomes a transport option for everyone - as it is in many cities in Europe.

3. I'd certainly consider it seriously; we need safe cycle routes.

Northern Ward

Peter Gilberd

1. In round terms, Council spends $6-7 per person per year on cycling infrastructure.

2. The amount required should be driven by the cost of projects. We do need to make more progress on cycleways and they should be done properly so that they are safe. A factor of four increase is desirable.

3. Yes and, if appropriate, alternative parking areas should be built.

4. I would like to see substantial progress on the Great Harbour Way, the Island Bay to CBD cycle way, and safety improvements to current cycleways. I would like to see further work on strategies that emphasise that roads are to be shared by all users in a cooperative way.

Justin Lester

1. For the 2013/14 financial year WCC will spend a total of $2.058 million on cycling, made up of $519,000 opex and $1,539,000 capex. Based on our 2013 forecast population of 201,891, the spend is $10.19 per person.

2. Over the next 5 years I’m proposing we spend $5m per year, which would more than double the current amount and take the spend to $24.77 per person. Still some way behind Amsterdam, but much better than this time last year.

3. Yes.

4. I’d like to see Wellington firmly on the path toward being recognised as a cycling friendly city, where an increasing number of choose to cycle because it’s safe, healthy and better for the environment. This will mean that the following projects have started or are completed:

• Island Bay to CBD cycling corridor

• Ngauranga to CBD cycling corridor

• The introduction of Copenhagen lanes to separate cyclists from motorists

• More public bike stands in prominent locations – for example, at Oriental Parade, on Cuba St, at the Central Library, on Lambton Quay and the waterfront.

• Cycling has achieved more prominence and focus internally within WCC.

Helene Ritchie

1. I am a strong supporter of safe cycling, increased cycle commuter networks, children being able to cycle and walk safely and for fun and will do all I can and have done to increase funding available.

2. The proportion spent on RONs is disproportional re cycling

3. I can only work within the parameters of the council.

4. I wish we could control government spending priorities!

Jacob Toner

1. The Council has currently budgeted $1.8m per annum for cycling which based on the last census works out to be about $10 per person, per year.

2. I don't think the services should be funded on a per person, per year basis but instead on need. It is likely that investment will need to be greater initially which critical cycling infrastructure is established (cyclelanes, cycle friendly crossing, bike racks etc...) and that it will reduce in out years to maintenance and improvement. The current state of cycling infrastructure is embryonic and the level of investment should reflect the need to make it safer and more attractive to jump on a bike.

3. The short answer is yes. We need a balanced approach to transport that doesn't see any one form of transport trump others. In some cases it is likely that car parks would have to be removed to accommodate safe cycling infrastructure. I liked the idea of "complete streets" that I've heard Patrick Morgan from Cycle Action Network / Cycle Aware Wellington speak about, which looks to make improvements that benefit all road users.

4. I would like to see a cycle lane planned and constructed running from Island Bay into the CBD. This is a dangerous stretch of road for cyclists but a popular route and could be made a lot more attractive and safe. I would also like to see planning and construction for a safe route from Johnsonville into the CBD. This is another popular route and potentially marries up with those commuting by bicycle in from Lower Hutt. There have been some bad accidents going down the gorge and this stretch would greatly benefit from separation between cars and cyclists.

Onslow-Western Ward

Sridhar Ekambaram

1. Not sure. I haven't been in the council so far. But what I have heard thru media (quoted from NZTA), it is someting like $4 nationwide.

2. I will support increased spending as necessary. The amount is not important. What is important is outcomes.

3. Where it is safe to remove yes. In some case, car parkings may be required. In which case some alternate soln will have to be explored.

4. Swap car parks and existing cycle lanes again where possible, so car parks can be buffer between cycles and moving motorised vehicles.

Andy Foster

1. and 2. Wellington City currently spends $1,800,000 directly per annum on cycling. That is approximately $9 per person. If you take the cycling numbers I saw on PNP today, 65,000 people - then that is $27.70 each, but I'd go with the per head of population.

We also maintain the roads (and footpaths!) that cyclists use but I'll leave that out of the calculation. We also spend money on supporting offroad cycling (approx. $600,000 a year on tracks maintenance and support for community developed projects)

Importantly NZTA will also spend money on cycling. From memory approximately $9 million of the cost of the Basin Flyover is the attached walkway - cycleway. There will also shortly be improvements to the Karo Drive route. They have already committed up to $900,000 on feasibility/planning work for the Melling to Wellington cycleway and the full $14 million is in the regional transport programme for that project. Should that become part of a resilience project to protect the railway line and State Highway - ie we do get the Great Harbour Way on the seaward side of the railway which would be fantastic - then numbers in the $40 to $60 million are possible. That couldn't all be attributed to cycling of course. Looking ahead we will also continue to work with NZTA on the design of the walkway/cycleway through the proposed 2nd Mt Victoria tunnel and along Ruahine St and Wellington Road. I don't know what $ cost that component of the project is but it's not small. ($10s of millions) There are also cycling benefit components that you could expect from urban design projects particularly the Kent - Cambridge boulevard. Of course there are also significant benefits from lower speed limits which we will be consulting on post election for the CBD. I've begun discussions with NZTA on a very exciting demonstration project with significant potential benefits for cycling.  Put that lot together I'd expect there'll be something between a minimum of $5 million a year over the next 3 years (excluding any tracks or generic Council spending with cycling benefits) and more likely in the order of $8-10 million. If Great Harbour Way /Melling - Wellington begins construction within three years then that number would be higher.  Can I suggest however that rather than focus on inputs let's focus on outputs. I guess that is your question 4.  What I intend, and given half a chance, expect to see by the end of the next term of Council is

• Tawa cycleway - complete (1st quarter of calendar 2014)

• Island Bay to City - complete - probably multiple routes

• Cross CBD routes - complete as part of a multi modal initiative including speed limits

• State Highway One - Karo Drive improvements, Memorial Park, Flyover bridge - all complete. Consent process complete for Mt Vic tunnel and associated walkway - cycleway along Ruahine St and Wellington road

• Johnsonville roading improvements inc cycling and walking components - complete

• Suburban centre speed limits - complete

• Safe routes to schools - significantly advanced - some cycling - some walking component.

• Miramar peninsula - regular community celebrations with no traffic around northern end

• Great Harbour Way including Hutt Road upgrade - construction underway in year three

• Other improvements to cycle parking, cycle friendly grates, stop boxes around the city

• Identification of key problems and opportunities on other major cycling routes into the city and delivery of solutions to a significant number of them (would flow from the study of 19 routes)

• Regular meetings between cycling community and Council

I'd also like to have got somewhere with doing some creative thinking on Middleton Road. I think there are options using the eastern side of the stream rather than only the western side.  3. This actually is probably even more the issue than $. The answer from me is ‘yes'. With Island Bay there are clearly some options and we plan to consult on all of them, so we may or may not need to tackle the hardest parking bit. With CBD I would suggest we target key routes rather than trying to do them all. With suburban routes I can see some parking removal in some places where demand isn't great but it would be good for cyclists.  4. Looking forward to the next three years. I think working together we will be able to deliver something that is a step change from where we are now and with the promise of the GHW as a further really transformative project.

Hayley Robinson

1. In 2008/2009, net operational spending on cycling as a mode of transport was $54,000 in total, capital expenditure was $60,000 (1). This meant the maximum spending one could say WCC was investing in cycling was approx. 64 cents per resident that year (estimating 180,000 people at that stage; there were 179,496 as at 2006 Census;(2))  Things have improved, but we are left with the legacy of this underinvestment. The Annual Plan for 2013/2014 states that WCC will have net operational expenditure on cycling of $499,000 and capital expenditure of $1,539,000. Our estimated population for that time period is in the region of 200,000 people, giving a spending figure of approximately $10.19 per resident for the next financial year. I sincerely hope that the majority of this figure is for infrastructure (either building it or maintaining it); the WCC website gives a separate figure for transport planning.  (1) http://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/your-council/plans-policies-and-bylaws/plans-and-policies/annualplan/2008-2009/files/10transport.pdf (2) http://apps.nowwhere.com.au/StatsNZ/Maps/default.aspx (3) http://ap2013.publications.wellington.govt.nz/Transport/7.1+Transport

2. At least double it each year until we reach the same level as the Netherlands.

3. Yes. Safety has to come first. However, as someone who is extremely sympathetic to the needs of small businesses, I would like to see any short-term (convenience) parking ‘moved' rather than ‘removed'. If the 5-minute parks for the local dairy etc can't be kept, let's try to move them nearby. Any moved or removed parks should be compensated for by putting cycle stands outside the relevant businesses; cyclist make good customers too (http://www.cycling-embassy.dk/2013/08/26/are-cyclists-good-customers/, http://boingboing.net/2013/05/10/bike-lanes-led-to-49-increase.html; and more)

4. In next annual plan: immediate placement of cycle racks at and along the ends of all public transport networks (especially at terminus of each bus route) to enable cycle-park-and-ride. Large increase in cycle stands in CBD and outside suburban businesses.  By 2015: all cycleways planned, and the most dangerous parts (pinch points etc) indentified. By 2016 All previously dangerous sections completed as a priority. Building whole cycleways whilst leaving dangerous points and sections throughout the rest of the city is ridiculous and not the most responsible way to spend our rates. By 2018 All cycleways throughout Wellington City complete, with children and families happy to use them.  For the 2014/2015 Annual Plan I would like to propose that WCC, Cycle Aware and the Sculpture Trust enter into a partnership to ensure Wellington gets an internationally recognised cycle carousel: WCC could provide the land, Cycle Aware could provide the design specifications and help judge the design entries, the Sculpture Trust could provide the funds to build and run the process. For an example see http://www.sinoconcept.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/carousel-bike-rack.jpg.

Martin Wilson

1. WCC spends $4 per person

2. many times what it spends now. WRC would also make a contribution. at least the combined figure of, the proportional allocated amount of those that cycle as transport, and an amount that will fund the type of cycling and pedestrian city we want to create. $50? at least. its a one-off spend, and an excellent investment.

3. absolutely. it wouldn't have to be the only way. much of the parking would definitely come out!

4. Island Bay to city cycle-way completed; bike-only annual day in some suburbs and city streets; trial separated cycleway(s) in the city; plans or actual cycle greenways east-west and north-south through the city.

Southern Ward

David Lee

1. What's wrong is there is no synergy between the funding and deliver of active transport modes. WCC needs to be more funding savvy. They don't know NZTA processes, systems or policies. WCC would ask for funding to deliver a project without having engaged and developed it through with NZTA. There is a massive opportunity loss here.

Currently only one project is approved, Tawa Shared Path approximate $3.5m. WCC also has a 'rats and mice' programme that NZTA are not sure is value for money. An example is all the advanced stop boxes that have just been implemented. The WCC Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) is 54% so doing subsidised works is a good deal for council.

Opportunities - identify off-road shared path connections (e.g tracks over Mt Vic etc) as part of the transport network and get maintenance subsidy.

Identify good implementable transport projects. As an example the current pitch is for a route around the south coast. The proposal is a 3m wide shared path connecting nowhere to nowhere and predominantly used in the weekends. There is a huge recreational rider use (road cyclists), these guys are unhappy as they want improved roads not a shared path. Currently this is one of the last remaining recreational race routes and council programme is making it less viable for this purpose e.g. their cyclist improvements are making it worse for the current users.

Funding: WCC is not funding to reflect, or to promote desired transport mode share e.g. if WCC where to split up their funding based on users they should spend more on PT, cycling and walking and less on driving.

However to influence change, places like Portland spend in relation to desired mode share. What does this mean, if they want 30% cyclist then you need to spend accordingly and manage what is left. Consequently, Portland has excellent high quality well maintained cycling network but roads that are falling to bits - potholes etc. This sends a message to users.

A new approach: Personally I would support a 'complete the streets' policy, ‘parking management' policy and 'road diet' policy to improve safety or provide space for other users.

WCC is just missing or dropping the ball on funding. NZTA expects to fund so much more cycling, but WCC just can't seen to sort it out.

2. A good indication is around 10% of the maintenance budget would be a neat target. However smarter use of budgets would be better. For example:

• All road renewals just replace what was there for another 50 years. Really should be looking to change the street layout at that point. This would be better use of maintenance.

• Smarter use of the council Minor Improvements budget (small projects under $250k). Could do an awful lot with this funding. Often the maintenance crew take away cycle markings etc, when they do reseals then WCC spends money putting it back out of another budget. So inefficient!

• Better integration of the parks and reserves guys doing the recreational cycling.

3. Speeds of 30 km mean you should use the road carriage way and ride in the centre of the lane.

4. The most strategic project on the books in NZ is to link Hutt CBD with WCC CBD. There is a current investigation. The option in the programme is a bridge - total waste of money. There should be a seaside route from town to town.

This isn't a cycling project. It is part economic development (just look at what the waterfront did for WCC), part tourism, and part rail protection scheme. You only have to look at the issues with storm damage to see the network resilience benefits of having reclaimed land between the sea and the rail line. This would require strong political leadership. The ideal route would also come in the back of the ferry terminal avoiding Old Hutt Road safety issues. Currently this is the most unsafe cycling route in the country. If WCC puts forward a good solution, I'm sure NZTA would fund it.

We need joined-up thinking with HCC, WCC and NZTA to make an end-to-end project work.

Bryan Pepperell

1) We have mixed use of our roads and cyclists get the benefit, You are asking extra for cyclists. Your figure of $5 dollars per person appears to leave out our NZTA subsidy that takes it to $10.

2) With the support of NZTA and Council $50 dollars per person should be our target. It will still have to fit into our total budget.

3) Some roadside parking may have to be removed to achieve the required outcomes.

4) Safe cycle infrastructure from Southern and Eastern wards to the City.

Brent Pierson

1. I am not sure on the amount per person, but I think it would be very little.

2. I would be willing to spend around the $50 per person a year.

3. Yes I would be willing to remove some roadside parking to make room for a cycle line.

4. In 3 years time, want planning and approval for a city wide cycle route plan. Plus some routes completed and others started. Remember as a single councillor I can only do my best, but I will be pushing this as hard as I can.

Cycling is the most cost effective form of transport, it just needs to to made safer and more user friendly.

Tawa Community Board

Graeme Hansen

1. I do not know.

2. I cannot answer this.

3. Yes, but Tawa Community Board has no authority in this regard.

4. I have been pushing WCC to make Middleton Road a safe road for cyclist and pedestrians. This is the only route for people using SH1 and it is unsafe. Successive Councils have ignored the northern suburbs and spent mega millions, predominantly in the southern suburbs.

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Kapiti Coast constituency

Chris Turver

My response is to create a well-considered city-wide cycling plan with timeframes for completion of each stage and costs to be borne by NZTA and WCC because of the direct and measureable benefits to them from reducing vehicular pressure on the roads.

Trying to make progress on a piecemeal basis simply creates arguments over detail rather than encourage a clear-headed vision for the future.  An imaginative citywide plan, with clear benefits showing through for the NZTA and WCC for each stage, would have more chance of getting fuinding.

GWRC, as a comparatively neutral transport planning organisation, should have responsibility for getting the parties together and developing an agreed Wellington city plan, the principles of which could then be usefully extended to other districts in the region, notably the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Kapiti.

Nigel Wilson

I am nicking (with permission) most of the responses of Regional Councillor Paul Bruce who is a superb advocate for Cycling at the Greater Wellington Council table. I would be pleased if you could acknowledge this.

1. Greater Wellington doesn't have a budget for cycling infrastructure. However, the Regional Transport Committee does have responsibility for producing a regional network cycle plan, and has some say on the prioritisation of programmes in the Land Transport Programme funding through NZTA. These now include cycling infrastructure projects such as the Great Harbour Way and the Petone to Nguaranga cycle/walk way.

There is another category of funding for cycling within the Sustainable Transport department, which in the most recent financial year, totaled about 1 million dollars and was a slight reduction on the prior year.

However, relevant programmes have expanded to include Spring to the Street during September, A Walk Cycle Wellington journey planner mobile app, a commuter challenge called "Streets Alive" during Feb/March, and the testing of bike lights. A Bike Lights Discount Voucher was distributed and bike lights competition was held to promote the best in test. A Reflective Gear review was completed, and 1,500 reflective slap bands and bag tags, and 1,500 pieces of reflective tape were distributed.

The biggest single expenditure item is School Travel Plans and comprises about a third of the budget.

2. There is virtually no cycling infrastructure in Wellington, and the region as a whole may need to spend one to two hundred million on the regional and city cycle network to bring it up to international standard to allow commuters to safely cycle on all arterial and inner city roads. Based on international experience, commuter cycle modal share could rise to about 10% in 5 years, and 20% in 10 years, and a maintenance programme may then require ongoing funding of 10 to 20 million a year.

Cycle training and skills programmes must be returned to all primary schools within one to two years, and this should be a separate item funding by central government as part of the normal education programme.

3. Roads are built for transit, not for the storage of private property. Parking should be removed from all arterial and connector roads when necessary to provide space for safe segregated cycle ways. Where no cycle paths are available, then the road should be shared space with speed reduced to 30km/hr.

4. The completion of the Petone to Wellington cycle way to international standards, and strongly advocating for the completion of Island Bay to CBD cycle way through WCC Councillors.

A regional cycle network should be designed over the next year, with completion planned within the following 5 years. A regional cycle network is urgent, not only because of the need to address safety concerns, but to increase resiliency of our region and make a cost effective contribution towards the reduction of greenhouse emissions.

Lower Hutt constituency

David Ogden

1. I rang the regional council - they said that they do not spend much at all, only at stations for racks and similar.

Most of the expenditure is through the district authorities and the Transport Agency.

2. When I was mayor of Hutt City I started a programme of spending $300,000 each year on cycling, this was initially used on cycle paths along the Hutt River.

Holland is somewhat different than New Zealand, I remember a Dutch-born NZ politician say that most houses there have up to six bikes of one form or another. When I travelled through there it was certainly noticeable.

3. Roadside parking deletion - not sure about that.

I did notice in Germany that they had cycle paths removed from traffic and pedestrians, that is a good solution if land is available.

4. I would like the cycleway between the Hutt Valley and Wellington completed. Currently one can cycle from Petone to north of Upper Hutt, the cycle paths are fairly good.

Wairarapa constituency

Andrew Stewart

1. and 2. Can I combine a response to the first two questions. I don't have any figures for what the Regional Council spends on cycling infrastructure per person per year. Rather than setting a target of what the Council should spend per person per year I would prefer to look at the issues and what the Council should be doing to manage them.

3. The main issue for me is how to provide safe cycle routes as part of an integrated transport system. If the most appropriate way to achieve this is removing some roadside parking spaces then that needs to be looked at.

4. At the end of the next term I would like to see a strategy in the Wairarapa that looks at how we will move over time to create safer cycling opportunities in the Wairarapa. This would look at both recreational riding, particularly on our country roads where the lack of a shoulder creates too many situations where cyclists are put at risk, as well for commuting cyclists in our urban centres. I believe a major part of the equation is the design of our roading infrastructure, with more emphasis needing to be placed on adequate separation of cyclist and motorists.

Wellington constituency

Judith Aitken

1. and 2. I don't know the answer to the first two questions but would like to find out - someone in the RegionaL Council will know the answer.  3. The only safe way to increase cycle pathways would be to remove parking where feasible 0- two advantages: reduces incentive to bring car and increases safe bike riding.  4. I would like to see much more sympathetic support and much better urban design for older, less speedy cyclists who would love to ride in our cities instead of feeling consigned to flat back roads. The WHO policies of age-friendly cities gives some clues on the standards and scope for this.

Paul Bruce

1. Greater Wellington doesn't have a budget for cycling infrastructure. However, the Regional Transport Committee does have responsibility for producing a regional network cycle plan, and has some say on the prioritisation of programmes in the Land Transport Programme funding through NZTA. These now include cycling infrastructure projects such as the Great Harbour Way and the Petone to Nguaranga cycle/walk way.

There is another category of funding for cycling within the Sustainable Transport department,  which in the most recent financial year, totalled about 1 million dollars and was a slight  reduction on the prior year.

The biggest single expenditure item is School Travel Plans and comprises about a third of the budget.

4. The completion of the Petone to Wellington cycle way to international standards, and  strongly advocating for the completion of Island Bay to CBD cycle way through WCC Councillors.

Sue Kedgley

1. The Regional Council's spending on cycling infrastructure is pitiful, below 1% I believe.

2. To begin to invest in some decent cycling infrastructure it would need to invest at least $1-200 million, over the next few years on a region wide cycling network.

3. Yes, on key routes it will be necessary to remove roadside parking for safe cycle infrastructure.

4. I really want to see the Great Harbour cycle/walkway from Petone to Wellington completed as soon as possible, and certainly by the end of the next term of Council. As well the Island Bay to the CBD should be completed, though this is a Wellington City Council initiative. And the Regional Council needs to develop a region wide cycling network.

Chris Laidlaw

1. In 2012/13 GWRC spent $70K on bike cages and racks on trains. With a population of 487,700 that's $0.14 per person. Is that enough? Of course not.

2. We need to allocate considerably more in the next regional transport plan. The only difficulty with this is that we are hostage to NZTA when it comes to funding.

3. Yes.

4. I would like to see the Petone to CBD track completed and we now have a real prospect of getting that.

Daran Ponter

1. less than $3 per person per year

2. at least $30 per person per annum i.e ten fold increase

3. yes, I would remove car parks in some instances

4. great Harbour way and more dedicated cycle ways from kilbirnie, island bay and karori, to the City.

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council elections 2013

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