Clip on for cycles

A “clip-on” cycle lane is about to be attached to the Chesterhope Bridge, cutting out a very dangerous section of the Hastings cycling network.

A dawn blessing on May 18 will herald the start of the work.

The 440 metre long Chesterhope Bridge, at the northern end of Hastings on Pakowhai Road, crosses the Ngaruroro River.

The need for a cycleway across the bridge has been on the drawing board for some time, however investigations into the structure’s earthquake strength had to be completed before the cycleway could be considered.

The bridge has passed that hurdle, and now a lightweight clip-on lane will be attached to the north side of the bridge. The work will start on May 23, and is expected to be completed by October, weather permitting.

Councillor and chairwoman of the Regional Cycling Governance Group, Cynthia Bowers, says the bridge cycle lane will close a “really very important link that has been missing from the cycle trails”.

“It is important for commuter cyclists travelling between Hastings and Napier who have been putting in requests for it for many years, but it also opens up options for leisure cyclists. People who, like me, have been too nervous to tackle that bridge given how long and narrow it is. I am looking forward to being able to use it, as will many other people be.”

It is the first time this technology will have been used in New Zealand, although it is widely used around the world. A Hastings District Council’s spokesman said the technology is made up of lightweight modules made in Australia then attached to supporting steel frames. The result will be lighter than traditional solutions, and cheaper.

This is a joint project between Hastings District Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency, with NZTA contributing 61 per cent of the $2.2 million cost.

A celebration of the new cycleway will be organised after the work has been completed.

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