Submission
to Greater Wellington proposed 2008/09 Annual Plan
Cycle
Aware Wellington (CAW)
Name:
Illona Keenan
Position:
Submissions Co-ordinator
Who
is Cycle Aware Wellington?
We
are a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving
conditions for existing cyclists and encouraging more people to bike
more often. We are the local advocacy group for cyclists who use
their bikes as a means of transport. Since our inception in 1994, we
have worked constructively with Greater Wellington on a wide variety
of projects.
We
have reviewed the Greater Wellington Proposed 2008/2009 Annual Plan
We
wish to be heard in relation to our submission.
Submission
A
key outcome of the Wellington Regional Transport Strategy 2007-2016
is to increase mode share for pedestrians and cyclists.
Our
submission relates to how the Proposed Annual Plan is to achieve this
outcome.
Key
Transport Projects for 2008/09
-
Activity:
Plan and monitor the transport network. Page 22
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-
Review
of implementation plans
-
CAW
is looking forward to the new Regional Cycling Plan. In the 2004
Regional Cycling Plan under Objective: Accessibility; it states that
"RCA work programmes will recognise best practice guidelines and
should consider the following service level elements....incorporate
cycle facilities auditing processes." Greater Wellington should
take an active role in auditing these RCA work programmes as some of
the facilities recently added to the Wellington Region, such as the
Inner City Bypass, are not up to standard and do not follow
guidelines or best practice for cycle facility design, this project
especially lacks coherence, directness, safety and comfort (design
guidelines from LTNZ, 2007, Fundamentals of Planning and Design for
Cycling Version 3). To our knowledge an audit of this facility and
other new RCA work programmes has not been done. Other territorial
authorities have engaged cycle advocates to audit facilities, which
have led to better outcomes for all road users.
Decision
sought
CAW
would like to see the establishment of auditing new cycle facilities,
especially of RCA work programmes. This sort of auditing should be
factored into the operational costs of projects. And should be
overseen by Greater Wellington.
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-
New
Regional Land Transport Programme
-
Issue:
Inadequate funding for cycle promotion and facilities:
To
more actively promote cycling and a shift to active modes, CAW
believes expenditure should be a similar percentage to active
transport's current mode share. Currently the Regional Land
Transport Programme is forecasted to spend only 0.027% of the Non
Roading Activities on cycle promotion ($0.5M out of $1825M over 10
years). However cyclists make up 1.96% of the trips to work in the
Wellington region (2006 Census figures1).
The percentage expenditure of Roading Projects that provide for
active modes is even more disproportional to mode share. TDM for
walking and cycling is 0.42% of planned annual expenditure for 08/09
(Regional Transport Programme August 2007) and over the 10 year plan
this only is 0.18% of Roading Expenditure. This compares to the mode
share of walking and cycling, which combined is 12% of trips to work
in the Wellington region. While CAW recognises there are some
roading projects that include provision for cyclists, such as
reference 16, experience has shown that provision is often poorly
planned, designed and implemented. If there was an increase in
funding and effective programmes for cycle promotion and improved
facilities, there would be a greater likelihood of reaching or
exceeding the Regional Land Transport Strategy outcome of increasing
cycling mode share.
Decision
sought
When
preparing the new Regional Land Transport Programme, expenditure
planned for active transport projects should be similar to active
transport mode share.
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-
Travel
Plans
-
CAW
approves of the activity to continue to develop and deliver Greater
Wellington's Travel Plan programme.
CAW
is disappointed that there is no mention of the Active transport
co-ordination which was a key activity in the 2007-2008 Annual Plan
with the aim to "continue to promote active transport modes,
including walking and cycling, in conjunction with city and district
councils."
Decision
sought
Active
transport co-ordination reinstated as an activity in the 2008-09
Annual Plan.
Following
up is required on issues highlighted in the travel plan programme. A
number of conclusions and suggestions were made in the Community
Travel Plan Study such as in the Household Project Lower Hutt
http://www.gw.govt.nz/story_images/4360_WGN_DOCS443292v1_s8633.pdf.
For
example looking at some of the barriers to reducing kilometres
travelled by car. The study stated a major barrier was the lack of
provision of cycle facilities. Greater Wellington should provide and
advocate for cycle facilities, which it could then promote to
increase the up take of sustainable travel options. Such as the
provision of well designed cycle facilities and a well integrated
cycling and public transport system.
Decision
sought
Greater
Wellington advocates Local authorities to improve cycle facilities,
and remove other impediments to enable more people to easily change
from private car use.
-
Activity:
Provide the infrastructure for public transport
-
-
Rolling
Stock
-
CAW
would like to see that provision for the carriage/storage of bicycles
is included in the scope for the design phase of the procurement of
the two-car passenger trains. That these storage of bicycles are
also included in the refurbishment and recommissioning of other units
and carriages.
In
Europe most trains are equipped to accommodate bikes in carriages
often with special bike racks to keep bikes from encroaching on
passenger space. If used together trains and bikes can make a
commute very reliable and comfortable. However it is important that
these facilities are well designed and have adequate space, and
storage facilities that take into consideration, personal and bike,
safety and security.
By
providing cycle storage facilities in carriages Greater Wellington
will be able to enhance integration between modes, and increase the
catchment areas of public transport users. Other leading cites such
as Perth, Australia encourages bicycles on trains. "Transperth
welcomes bicycles on our trains, because we recognise the
contribution cyclists make towards a cleaner and healthier community
and environment. So, with a few simple rules, travelling the trains
with your bike is easy." www.transperth.wa.gov.au
Decision
sought
When
procuring and designing new, and refurbishing older carriages there
is provision for well designed and easy to use cycle carriage/storage
facilities for the enhanced integration of active and public
transport. There should be adequate consultation with user groups to
ensure that the design is appropriate.
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-
Provision
of cycle facilities while upgrading other rail infrastructure
-
Chapter
8 of the Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy 8.1 Section O:
Supports continuous development of the cycling network and
integration with other modes.
Chapter
9 Role of Transport Modes 9.8 "In particular, safe cycling routes
and cycle storage provision will be crucial to achieving good
integration between cycling and other modes."
CAW
supports the Regional Passenger Transport Plan Policy Area 2 -
Vehicle and Infrastructure Standards, especially Policy 2.1 that
"infrastructure is consistent with the New Zealand Urban Design
Protocol" and wishes that the Council take more note of the Seven
Cs especially Choice and Connections "places
a high priority on walking, cycling and public transport.
Anticipates travel demands and provides a sustainable choice of
integrated transport modes. Provides environments that encourage
people to become more physically active."
Decision
sought
Cycle
infrastructure is incorporated into the upgrades of rail station
platforms, such as the provision of improved facilities for
undercover bike parking, and maintenance and extensions of cycle
lockers.
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Activity:
Fund and promote public transport services Page 23-
CAW
strongly supports GW funding rail, bus, and local harbour services,
and also supports the promotion of cycle lockers through the GW and
Metlink websites.
-
However,
we are disappointed that there are no targets set in the Regional
Passenger Transport Operational Plan for the Section 2.7.1 Walking
and Cycling Integration. All of these targets are of concern to CAW.
And if implemented would have an effect on the modal integration
between active and public transport.
Decision
sought
Targets
for Section 2.7.1 of the Regional Passenger Transport Operations Plan
should be stated and an action plan implemented
Short
term targets - by 30 June 2009
-
Develop
an affordable Regional Land Transport Strategy and monitor its
implementation
-
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CAW
supports that the travel plan programme and active transport
co-ordination will continue to be implemented. However we would
like to see active transport co-ordination performance measures in
place, as currently only travel plan performance measures are
referred to.
-
Decision
sought
The
Annual Plan 08/09 also include performance measures for active
transport co-ordination.
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Hutt
Corridor Plan review
-
Walking
and Cycling were not mentioned in the Key Outcomes of the Hutt
Corridor Plan, and for it to work effectively the review should
ensure that active modes are integrated into the Hutt Corridor Plan.
In the GW, 2007 Implementing the Wellington Regional Land Transport
Strategy it states "Corridor plans are multimodal" and this is
not reflected adequately in the current Hutt Corridor Plan and needs
to be rectified.
Decision
sought
Include
all modes in the Hutt Corridor Plan review
CAW
is disappointed in the lack of activity in scoping, design and
construction of a two-way cycle and pedestrian facility between
Petone and Ngauranga.
Decisions
sought
Targets
and milestones for this two-way cycle and pedestrian facility need to
be put in place and actioned.
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-
Review
of the Travel Demand Strategy
-
CAW
supports the implementation of both hard and soft measures,
especially the implementation of road pricing, such as congestion
charging and increased parking charges.
CAW
supports the integrated land use and transportation methods,
especially that subdivisions and developments include appropriate
provision for walking, cycling and public transport.
CAW
supports that "Ensuring that walking and cycling are viable,
desirable transport options is important to support TDM activities
and objectives" MOT, 2005 Getting there by foot by bicycle.
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Wellington
Transport Strategic Model
-
In
the latest report to Regional Land Transport Committee
Report
08.194 27 March 2008 File TP/02/04/25 Regional Transport Model
Update, unfortunately did not mention cyclist or pedestrians. If
this Model is to be used as a reporting tool then all modes,
especially active modes, should be included in all reports to
Committees.
-
Fund
and promote public transport services-
While
reviewing Wellington Diesel Bus Services. The provision and
associated costs of installing cycle racks on buses should be
investigated. Bike racks on buses have trialled in Canterbury.
With user surveys being extremely positive.
-
Decision
Sought
Investigate
bicycle racks on buses as part of the review of Wellington Diesel Bus
Services.
Summary
If
Greater Wellington is to achieve increased mode share for cyclists,
greater investment in cycling infrastructure is required. While
engaging in the Transport work set out in this Annual Plan,
provisions should be made to enhance cycle infrastructure and
increase modal integration.
Expenditure
proportions should be similar to proportion of modal share for active
modes, at present the investment in cycle promotion and cycle roading
projects is well below the 1.96% of people that are travelling to
work by bicycle.
The
Annual Plan should reinstate active transport co-ordination as a Key
Project Activity and include performance measures to ensure that this
activity is implemented.
Thank
you for the opportunity to make this submission. If there are
matters requiring clarification, please contact our Submissions
Co-ordinator Illona Keenan in the first instance.
Murray
Robertson
Chairperson
Cycle
Aware Wellington.
1
The
proportions are based on the total number of journeys to work (i.e.
not staying at home) where the travel mode is stated