MEDIA RELEASE

5 December 2003

Auckland City endorses draft
national cycle and walking strategy

Auckland City Council’s Transport Committee has finalised its submission to the Ministry of Transport’s draft national cycle and walking strategy, released for consultation earlier this year.

The strategy, titled Getting there – on foot, by cycle, focuses on increasing the role that walking and cycling play in New Zealand transport.

Auckland City’s submission expresses its support in principle for the draft strategy, subject mainly to clarification by the government on funding implementation.

“Auckland City is already underway with implementation of its own 20-year cycling and walking strategy,”* Transport Committee chairperson Councillor Greg McKeown said today. “Current projects include completing the north-western cycleway with the Unitec link and Waterview interchange over-bridge, as well as the design of the Waikaraka cycleway which runs from Pikes Point in Onehunga to Richardson Road in Wesley.”

“We are also now focusing on walking and cycling safety improvements within communities, with projects underway in Grafton, Otahuhu and Avondale. We look forward to receiving the final national strategy next year and incorporating it into our plans for promoting safe and enjoyable cycling and walking in and around Auckland City,” Mr McKeown said.

Submissions close 19 December 2003. A finalised strategy is expected to be released midway through 2004, along with an initial action plan for implementing it.

Ends

- An executive summary of Auckland City’s cycling and walking strategy can be found at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/cyclewalk/default.asp

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