Cyclists partnering with WDC to optimise infrastructure outcomes

I am reminded that Council has a 10 year Walking and Cycling strategy document which is on their website and is relevant to our discussion. A quick reread confirms that it endorses our position. It also has concept drawings of proposed routes.
I include the link which I hope will work. http://www.wdc.govt.nz/TrafficandTransport/PublicTransport/Cycling/Documents/Walking-and-Cycling-Strategy.pdf

Also here is the vision it opens with, which is outrageously ambitious ( I remember asking them in my written submission if they really wanted to say such a thing)

"A district where walking or cycling are easy, safe and enjoyable everywhere in the public domain, are the
preferred means of access and are a lifestyle or tourist attraction".

The Council's Walking and Cycling reference group is supposed to do this job, although there are few regular urban cyclist typically on this group. One of the impediments in the past has been Council staff unwilling/unable/unsure how to engage with cyclist to improve infrastructure design and prioritisation. I suggest that two or more regular cyclists attend these meetings and insist on working with Council staff at the earliest stages to make sure designs work as well for cyclists as possible and the best prioritisation is achieved.

I cut and pasted the information below from the "Walking and Cycling Strategy" which I note is now 2 years old. There seems to be no change to the Waimahunga track although it talks about being completed in year 1. It would be great to have feedback from the council on these projects.

1 Onerahi/Whangarei Heads Pohe Island Road Old Onerahi Road / Waimahunga
Road Intersection
1 Onerahi/Whangarei Heads Old Onerahi Road / Waimahunga
Road Intersection
Waimahaunga Track
1 Onerahi/Whangarei Heads Waimahaunga Rd Beach Rd (via Cockburn St &
Raurimu St)
1 Onerahi/Whangarei Heads Hatea River crossing

Hi Steve, the council has just received bulk funding from NZTA and the priority is the Raumanga- Onerahi route incl Waimahanga track to be completed by 2016. We will have detail soon. Watch this space.

I agree with Clare. Cycle paths can be more dangerous the the road! Who designs these things, not a cyclist that's for sure

I agree with Clare and Lloyd. Coming from Glenbervie to the Hospital (not thinking about road works) there are many times when the road narrows down or cyclist has to stand bold on their pedals in the line of traffic and the lights or pedaling along.

Actually I think we need to give some thought to language . I was meaning cycle LANES really . Part of the road . Cycle paths conjure up a separate path and are great and I enjoy them but as an urban commuter cyclist they are a small part of the story. Ive attached a photo of roadmarkings on a Dutch road to give an idea of possibilities. Not a good photo and hopefully it wont clog things up but hopefully gives an indication.

Love the pun Clare - only in the Netherlands would things get "clogged"!! ;-)
We should decide on priorities maybe - which recreational trails (off-road and separated) and what on-road treatments. All arterial routes should have cycle provision I think - cycle lanes, advance stop boxes at intersections etc.
My preference is to get Riverside Drive sorted for cyclist safety - work with WDC re options i.e. with low-cost road-marking create a painted wide flush median, one traffic lane in each direction, a cycle lane in each direction and lovely wide shoulders - some parking even?? It should become a high-amenity avenue with a focus on the river.
Everyone wins! Then reduce inner-city speed limit to 30kph....
Also support off-road and away from the road route to Onerahi - on the grass berm, or at the toe of the embankment with a surface that can be cleared reasonably easily after flooding or boardwalk structure in the mangroves?
The three narrow bridges needed to have been remedied ages ago :-/
Love your neighbor.....ride a bike ;-)

Hope to see HEAPS of folk fashionably attired on bikes at the Old Stone Butter Factory (behind Farmers) 1030am this Saturday - for the coolest random ride in town! Clogs welcome ;-)

An interesting article that might keep the petrol heads happy with cycle infrastructure going in. speed and cycle lanes/paths.

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/8/6121129/bike-lanes-traffic-new-york

I'm with Paul - absolutely agree. since the new bridge went in ther traffic at the old bridge end is much lower. If the powers that be doubt that it would work I suggest a traffic counting/study be done . the existing cars could easily fit into one lane each way I strongly suspect , even at peak hour .
Hmmm those clogs .....

Have been offline for some days due to computer problems. Loving seeing more and more people joining in. Feeling sorry that I will miss you all on Saturday. Support Paul's idea about Riverside Drive (the dual carriageway section I assume). Even before the new bridge was opened the dual carriageway seemed over the top. Would lend itself to a spectacular development with minimal impact on motor vehicle users.

Just a suggestion. Can we try to keep personal discussions brief and take them elsewhere, to keep the intended discussion on point. Chur. James.

Does anyone know if there is an official standard for the width of cycle paths? The ones I've seen elsewhere in the country seem to be 3m however biking the loop in the weekend the local ones seem to be closer to 2m. Okay I could be wrong but it seems to me we should be building to 3m because this allows a bike to pass 2 pedestrians walking side-by-side comfortably. If council finances don't allow a decent width perhaps a firm grass runoff along the side should be provided

Hi Luigi,
Mark Fuller has kindly uploaded the councils guidelines for walking and cycle tracks. Check it out on one of the other discussion called "community group working bees on cycle paths" https://www.loomio.org/d/Wr8qfG6S/community-group-working-bees-on-cycle-paths

Thanks James, I guess this answers the question.

Although while 2.5m might be okay on a dedicated cycle path for two cyclists to pass, the loop seems to be used equally by pedestrians and in this case 3m seems more suitable. Just saying

Cheers, L

I would totally agree Luigi. good to be discussing and feeding back to council, so maybe we can get the next ones wider.

I have the same concern and recall saying as much to Stu Bell about 4 mths ago. The paths are too narrow for mutimodal use and are likely to lead to conflict between modes unless council works really hard to educate on etiquette. I have a bell and use it all the time, well in advance of passing walkers and other walkers. I was initially encouraged to see what looked like gravel on the margins of the path between the little and big bridges but when I rode the path I saw the gravel was well below path level so no if I needed to leave the path to pass or give way. I note the path from Raumanga falls through Tarewa Park is also 2.5m sadly. It is vital that we advocate for maximum width for the remainder of the route wherever the terrain permits. Less popular routes could compromise on width I suggest but not popular promenading routes.

Well said Shane, I was beginning to think I was the lone ranger. Our cycle paths appear to be based on the Copenhagen design which caters to a fundamentally different demographic. Danish/Dutch cycleways are just that. They are almost exclusively used by cyclists which removes the potential for conflict that exists when a cyclist is impeded by walkers.

why are WDC even proposing a new path around beach road, a slow street environment would suffice and resources could be put into appropriate widths elsewhere

Hi Guys. I have a different view on this. I live in the area and Beach rd is a busy place on weekends with walkers, cyclists, boaties, families picnicking and sightseers all sharing the narrow road. Quite a dangerous mix actually if anyone goes too fast AND SOME DO!!! Controlling speed would be a good thing but I think a separate track will really add to area and add to the experience of cycling all the way from town all linked up on a separate carriageway.

I envisage also the track continuing all the way around Beach Road, eventually maybe all the way to Parua bay but I may be dreaming.

Mark

I agree with Mark about the separate track, I think it will be an incredible asset for Onerahi.

I always wondered weather a simple solution for a continued section from Cliff St to Hill street would be to make it one way for cars in that section. Half the road could be dedicated to cars and the other half for pedestrians and cyclists. This section of the road is the most dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

Steve

Calling Ash Howel :I have obtained 1:250 aerials of Beach Rd from Pah Rd to Yacht club. I have come up with an alternative to the proposed cycle way which I need help to work into a presentable state. We hope to have a meeting of supporters of shared roadspace concepts later this week.
This alternative is urgent because the WDC is well advanced toward letting contract for the Pah Rd to Kaiwaka point section that despite promises to bring back to a public consultation meeting.
Please can some one get Ash to ring me asap (I don't do facebook and don't have his phone number.) thanks
Pete

my number 4362145

or 0221295835