Thumbs up to new Hutt Rd cycleway

Wellington cyclists are welcoming today's announcement about projects to fix cycling from Ngauranga to the city centre.

"Wellington is moving with the times, by making cycling safer and more attractive," says Cycle Aware Wellington chair, James Burgess.

"We're particularly excited that the first section on the Old Hutt Road will see construction start this year."

He says the project is long overdue. “The current shared path is unpleasant to use and is one of the city's worst blackspots for cycling crashes.”

The project is good news for people walking too, with dedicated cycle lanes and a separate footpath. And with the Transport Agency contributing two-thirds of the cost thanks to the Urban Cycleways Programme, it is great value for ratepayers.

Council research found that 76 percent of Wellingtonians said they would cycle for some of their journeys if they had protected bike lanes.

“The Old Hutt Road is already one of Wellington's busiest biking corridors despite its poor current facilities. Fixing this route will encourage many more people to cycle – and that's good news for everyone.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media