CYCLISTS TELL COMMUNITY BOARDS: WE WANT TO USE MAIN STREETS

Spokes Canterbury, the local cycling advocacy group, has spoken out against the latest calls by Community Board members to not provide cycle lanes on busy arterial roads.

On Wednesday, The Press quoted Cr Helen Broughton's concerns about proposed cycle lanes along Riccarton Rd, citing an earlier traffic management report that recommended against them.
Spokes chairman Richard Hayman says that the group has been aware of a number of comments in recent times by community boards, encouraging council cycle planners to provide more cycle routes along quiet streets and off-road (segregated) paths instead.
"We would have no problems with that if these routes were as direct and had the same rights of way as the arterial route alternatives", said Mr Hayman. "The reasons that many cyclists choose to use the main routes are the exact same reasons that motorists do. They are quick and you don't have to give way to cross streets. Often too, your desired destination is located on that road anyway."
In the case of Riccarton Rd for example, the parallel route along Suva St and Peverel St is often cited as a safer, quieter alternative. Indeed, council strategies since the 1970s have recommended such a route to connect to Hagley Park and the city.
"The problem is that once you get to Mandeville St you are forced to divert abruptly onto Riccarton or Blenheim Rds to continue into town. Over decades, no strategic property purchases have been made to enable the route to continue directly east across the railway line."
Mr Hayman also noted that many existing segregated pathways were built and maintained to a poor standard, discouraging cyclists from using them.
"Both new and existing pathways need to be constructed to an appropriate standard in terms of widths, geometry, safety, smoothness, and street connections. We wouldn't expect any less for roads; why should we put up with it elsewhere?"
"Councillors and community boards have to accept that there will always be a demand for cycling along main arterial roads and this needs to be provided for. If they also want to see more use of segregated paths, then they will have to accept that providing the right facilities in the right places will cost more money than is currently being spent on cycling. We look forward to that change."
ENDS
SPOKES Canterbury Inc.
c/o PO Box 4536, Christchurch
Email: spokes_chch [at] hotmail [dot] com