I think CAN needs to be careful about not being un-critical of the proposed new national cycleways where this is warranted.  The first batch appear to have been a bit of a lolly scramble and to have been rushed out to get "runs on the board" without adequate analysis as to whether they will be a) workable, b) where people will want to cycle, and d) sufficiently used that they will generate economic benefits.  There have been a lot of comparisons between them and the economic benefits generated by the Otago Rail Trail, but these fail to acknowledge some of the uniqe characteristics of the ORT trail including landscape, history, coherence, accessibility, and the number of small towns scattered along it that provide servicing opportunities.  Many of these factors are absent from the new proposals.  While the Thames Valley rail trail and the two DoC proposals appear to be reasonably well grounded off road rides (although very remote from services in the case of the DoC projects) other Quick Start projects appear to rely very heavily on utilising existing gravel public roads (and in one case a jet boat ride).  There does not appear to be any indication that separate paths will be built along these roads, so that unless special maintenance/ upgrading works are undertaken prospective riders will often face considerable distances with deep shingle and dust from passing traffic on these routes (Mavora Lakes Road/ Wanganui River Road being a case in point).  Hardly a great ride I would have thought.