Switch the cycleway back – Island Bay has spoken

A survey undertaken by the Island Bay Residents’ Association (IBRA) has overwhelming delivered a clear result Island Bay residents want the ‘kerbside’ cycleway imposed on them by Wellington City Council switched back.

The results show 87% of Island Bay residents of those who responded are opposed to the new cycle way design. 1,792 people responded – with responses verified and validated by checking the electoral roll.

300 locals with many more outside packed out the local Baptist Church last night to hear the results at a special Residents’ Association meeting held last night.

IBRA President Vicki Greco says the Association undertook the survey at the request of residents concerned that the process council developed for implementing cycle ways had excluded their views.

“The views of local people have been ignored – this survey validates the concerns of residents.”

“It has been a disappointing experience for many to discover how hard it is to be heard by some in the council. It’s clear after 2 years that the community will not simply get used to the new cycle way design and it’s time the council respected this.”

Ms Greco says local people worked with the council at every available opportunity to improve the existing cycle way design and ensure community buy-in.

“Island Bay always had a cycle way – on the road side – there were no accidents but it was safe and suited the character of Island Bay.”

IBRA also sounds a note of caution for other communities in Wellington city and around New Zealand.

“Wellingtonians should be asking “is our community going to be the next one on the list with a cycle way design like this?” Trouble is brewing in the eastern suburbs as cycle ways are being rolled there without community buy-in,” says Ms Greco.

The results will be formally presented to the council’s transport committee on Wednesday 16 March (at 9.15am) and a formal request made that council switch the cycle way back as soon as possible including working with the community to develop a design that works for all road users.

Councillors in attendance were Jo Coughlan, Paul Eagle, Andy Foster, David Lee, Justin Lester, Helene Ritchie, Simon Woolf and Nicola Young.

ENDS

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