MEDIA RELEASE

19 February 2004

Auckland City opens cycleway

The completed north-western cycleway is officially opened by Auckland City’s Mayor Hon John Banks and Transport Committee chairperson, Councillor Greg McKeown at UNITEC’s grounds near the newly constructed cycle overbridge at noon today.

The completion of the cycleway by the placement of a cycle overbridge across Great North Road and an off-road path over UNITEC’s campus provides cyclists and pedestrians with a more convenient, safer and direct route through and around the area.

Investment in the safety improvements has cost over $1 million, partly funded by Transfund New Zealand.

“The construction of the Great North Road cycle and pedestrian overbridge has provided an important missing link. Not only does the bridge complete the cycleway, but it also improves safety for cyclists and pedestrians around the busy Waterview interchange on the north western motorway,” says Councillor Greg McKeown, Transport Committee chairperson. “Safety was a big issue and, in partnership with UNITEC and Transfund, we’ve addressed several concerns expressed by the local community and cyclists.”

The initiative allows commuting and recreational cyclists to ride on a mostly dedicated off-road cycleway, from the central city to Te Atatu, with numerous on and off points along the way.

The 9km route improves cycling safety and access along the western transport corridor, including UNITEC, Point Chevalier Shopping Centre, Pasadena Intermediate School, Newton Central School, Western Springs College, Auckland Zoo, Museum of Transport and Technology, Western Springs Park and Western Springs Stadium.

“We are progressing many other cycling initiatives in the city, including a raft of infrastructure improvements around Grafton, Avondale, Otahuhu and Panmure which are integrated with other community plans. These amount to over $2 million and await funding support from Infrastructure Auckland,” says Mr McKeown. “Bus and bike lanes, new line markings on many of the city’s arterials, and changes in driver behaviour are also improving conditions for cyclists on many of Auckland City’s roads.”

“Efforts to improve cycle safety are part of a comprehensive set of actions plans we have developed for transport in the city*,” says Mr McKeown.

The official opening of the north-western cycleway and bridge is timed to mark National Bike Week, which runs from 16 to 22 February. Other events organised by Auckland City included yesterday’s Bike to Work Breakfast and tonight’s fun children’s cycle safety event at Western Springs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Ends

Note to editor

The transport strategies listed below and 10 corresponding actions were adopted in last year’s annual plan and the following updates were accepted at the annual plan direction setting meeting held in October 2003.
Auckland City transport actions
We will tailor our transport actions to facilitate a strong central business district and suburban main streets, a safe city for all to enjoy and well-managed growth, sustaining strong and healthy communities.

Transport specific strategies
- We will improve mobility and travel choice for Aucklanders and Auckland businesses with increased investment in both the roading and public transport networks
- We will integrate transport, land use and economic development initiatives, with a view to building strong liveable communities, a compact urban form, and a growth economy

Transport actions
1. Promote greater integration of roading and passenger transport development, and continual improvements to regionally agreed land transport strategies.
2. Plan for transit-oriented community and business developments in areas identified by the council’s growth strategy designing transport infrastructure to suit.
3. Continue to play a leading role in the development of the regional networks, in particular the eastern and western corridors, taking into account multi-modal transit investment including ferries and cycling that leverages community and economic development.
4. Assist in the development of the rail corridors and rail-based rapid transit on the isthmus, leveraging off the investments in Britomart and the current track infrastructure.
5. Advocate for the development of integrated bus-based passenger transport services, with a focus on service delivery, vehicle quality and route design, integrated ticketing that support city strategies.
6. Implement agreed CBD traffic management strategies to facilitate business growth and create inviting and people-friendly streets for residents and city visitors.
7. Implement the agreed strategy for all arterials and major roads, including use by mode, and clear streetscape design guides, including street markings, signs, footpath design and street architecture and greening.
8. Implement traffic demand management strategies.
9. Continue record capital expenditure levels to dramatically improve the city’s footpath network and improve conditions for walking to school, work, recreation and to passenger transport.
10. Improve road safety, with an increased emphasis on pedestrian and cycle safety and safer driving behaviour.

Ref: DLR

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