Cycle Wellington News, 5 March 2020

Kia ora,

Let's get a win on central city safer speeds 

Wellington is planning to change speed limits on most central city streets to 30km/h. Yeah! This is an effective and proven way to make our streets sweeter for people on bikes. And there's heaps of additional benefits. Let's get this across the line. Thanks to everyone who took part in the engagement in November last year. This is a second stage of feedback, not more of the same thing - you need to have your say this time too!
Show your support for safe streets and better biking.  We have until 31 March 2020 to respond. It takes 5 minutes.
Have your say today at https://lgwm.nz/saferspeeds

Suggested responses

Do you support the proposal as shown which will lower the speed limit to 30km/h on the proposed streets?  Strongly support

Do you have any specific changes you would make to the proposal?  Yes

Please detail any changes you would make to the proposal:

Extend it to Taranaki St, Vivian St, Kent Tce, Cambridge Tce, and the waterfront Quays.
Best practice street design is 30 kmh where vehicles share with people on bikes, and significant number of pedestrians.

Thinking about the proposed speed limit changes, please rate how you think these changes will impact:

etc

Would you like to make any other comments?

It's best to use your own words. Here's some suggestions:

We deserve safe and attractive streets.

Lowering operating speeds and speed limits on urban streets will:

- improve safety for all road users

- encourage more people to walk and cycle in the central city, reducing car use

- make the city quieter and more pleasant

- have little or no effect on vehicle journey times

- be good for city businesses

- reduce emissions, in line with WCC’s Te Atakura – First to Zero plans

- be consistent with WCC's urban growth, walking and cycling policies and LGWM aims

Changes to street design and layout are also needed, to signal that these are 30 kmh streets.

A network of protected bike lanes is needed, especially on any streets not included in the 30 kmh plan.
I note 508 people were injured or killed on Wellington City roads in 2018, up from 459 in 2017 and 365 in 2016.

Making SH2 safe

We have good momentum to make SH2 from Wellington to Petone safe for people on bikes. Representatives from Cycle Wellington, Hutt Cycling Network, and cycling clubs met with NZTA staff last month to look at the way forward. We covered:

1. immediate measures to reduce risk on SH2, such as speed reduction, speed enforcement, widening the shoulder, and frequent maintenance
2. accelerating construction of the new seaward-side path, Te Ara Tupua
3. governance for improvements along the whole SH2 corridor.

The ball is in NZTA's court. We'll be reporting back to you soon on their response and actions.

Join the team
There's power in numbers. We need your help to fight for better biking. Join CAN. Select Cycle Wellington as your local group. Or simply sign up at https://t.co/DaUusTjyhS?amp=1 

Donate
What we achieve depends on volunteers like you. We need to run our campaigns and websites, support CAN's project manager Patrick Morgan, rent an office and meeting rooms. Show your support by giving generously today. CAN is a registered charity (CC36909) under the Charities Act 2005. 

Have your say
We'll be in touch to help you have your say on the parking policy review, and the spatial plan. These will enable city streets that are better for biking.

Join the conversation
Follow Cycle Wellington on Facebook and Twitter

Come and meet us
Cycle Wellington meets at 6pm on Tuesday 7 April at the Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro. Come along and get stuck in.

Pedal on
It’s a year full of activity and events so stay tuned for more via email on upcoming events. Here are a few to keep you pedalling happy!

Cargo Bike Meetup, 8 March at Newtown Festival, Gordon Place 10am-3pm

Tour Aotearoa for all the dot watchers. Jess Mazengarb is heading for the West Coast. She's fundraising for CAN - please donate, be generous and help us make biking better.

Thanks again for taking part in this community and helping it grow. If you know other people interested in signing up or hearing more, share the link to our sign up: https://t.co/DaUusTjyhS?amp=1 

Keep pedaling and smile at other friendly road users.

Linda Beatson and Mark Johnston
Cycle Wellington Co-Chairs

https://cycwell.wordpress.com/