CCC (Christchurch City Council)

This is a street "renewal" project on Simeon Street, which also happens to be on an excellent cyling route from Hagley Park to the Heathcote River, and will be identified in the forthcoming cycling guide (map). 

The proposal is to extend the curbing out and increase the berm area between Coronation Street and Andrew Crescent.  This has already been done to a short section of Simeon St and to part of Collins Street.  A potential problem is that this narrows the carriageway and if cars are parked along the curb (there can be a surprising number around the Brougham St intersection) this pushes cyclists out into the traffic.

It may be better to provide indented parking areas along the proposed new berm areas to overcome this.

The consultation plan is attached.  Submissions close Wednesday 4 November, 2009.

An email submission has been sent as follows:

Dear Angela

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on this proposed street renewal project.  Simeon Street forms part of an excellent quiet cycling route from Hagley Park to the Heathcote River, and is identified as a route on the Council's Season of Cycling website at:  http://www.seasonofcycling.co.nz/rides/getting-around/25-somerfield-city

While Spokes is generally in favour of projects that involve traffic calming and street "greening" we are concerned that the proposal to narrow the width of the carriageway between Coronation St and Andrew's crescent may reduce the attractiveness and safety of this road for cycling.  The reason for this is that the previous street renewal works in both Simeon and Collins Streets on either side of Brougham Street (and Grove Road)have narrowed the carriageway to the extent that there is no longer separate road space for parked cars, cyclists and other vehicles.  As a result "pinch" points are created in these areas when cars are parked on both sides of the road and passing traffic can be intimidating for cyclists.  Parking appears to be a particular problem at weekends, and on Collins Street regularly includes a delivery truck.  An extension of the existing street narrowing south down Simeon Street could exacerbate this conflict, particularly if more road side parking or urban intensification occurs in the future, as appears to have happened in both Collins St and Grove Road .

We consider that a simple solution to this issue would be to recess parking into the berm area, so that parked cars do not extend out beyond the proposed curb line.  This would provide additional "greening" of the street, and ensure that cyclists are more visible and have adequate road space.  If parking is not recessed, then more road width should be provided.   We also note that, with the wider berm, some residents appear to be parking cars on the grass rather than the road.  Providing dedicated parking areas may help reduce this practice.

We also consider that the curve in Simeon Street at house numbers 148/ 161 is two gentle.  It appears to be geometrically designed for 60-70 km/h speeds rather than a neighbourhood street.  We request that the curve be engineered to a tighter radius to suit local traffic conditions.  This would also contribute to traffic calming in the street.

The approaches on both sides of Coronation Street should be reduced to 6 metres in width from the proposed 7 metre so that overtaking of cyclists and "pinching" them to the curb just before the intersection is discouraged. 

Thanks again for the opportunity to consult.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or require further information.  We would like the opportunity to attend any site meeting or hearing held to consider the project.

Yours sincerely
Robin Delamore

Cycling Improvements convenor - Spokes

These works mainly arise from laying the tram tracks - there will be double tracks over this section.  This part of High St will be a "slow street" and space appears to being created for cyclists as well as the trams.  In addition, cycle stands will be provided! 

The trams have to cross the pedestrian area at the junction of High and Lichfield Sts in order to cross the intersection into the next section of High St.  This may provide an opportunity to improve cycling ccess between these two sections of High St as well (currently linking them requires an awakward devisation via Manchester St).  However, the current proposal doesn't appear to provide for this.

A plan of the proposal is attached.

An email submission ha sbeen lodged, as follows:

Dear Anne

Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this project.  We see a number of potential issues arising from the installation of tram tracks in High Street, and the way this has been addressed in the proposed design.  Unless these issues are addressed, they will significantly diminish the usefulness and pleasantness of High Street for cycling, particularly if the same design is extended to the other sections of the street.

Of particular concern is the space designated for cyclists between the parking bays and the outer tram track (approx. 1.7 metres). A cyclist riding between parked cars and the outer tram track and trying to avoid opening car doors will be very close to the track, and a minor movement outwards could see them getting their front wheel caught in the rail. As we know from the Armagh / Rolleston intersection, this can result in frequent cycle accidents.

To make matters worse, the parking bays are very narrow at 2.0 metres. For years, CCC has been building parking bays at 2.3 metres, as this reflects driver behaviour. Drivers having to manoeuvre into a parking bay across a V channel often end up significantly further away from the kerb than where a parking lane is marked on the carriageway (the V channel is only shown on the cross section; the plan view doesn't give this detail).

With the layout proposed, cyclists riding between the outer tram rail and parked cars will constantly within the door opening zone, as the proposed corridor is too narrow for this, and the parking bays are not deep enough (and are a departure from Council’s own practice). Opening car doors are the main hazards for cyclists in the midblock.  Cycle safety problems have therefore been engineered into the proposed design, as it stands.

It will be far safer to cycle between the tram rails, i.e. in the same position where a tram would position itself. This is already common practice on other sections of road with straight stretches of tram lines (e.g.  Worcester Boulevard). For this to be comfortable for most cyclists in this location, we suggest:

Posting a 20 km/h speed limit for the street (which would support Council’s aim of creating a slow street environment),

Making the carriageway narrower, so that the gap between parked cars and the tram tracks reduces to something that is obviously too narrow for cyclists to use (We suggest reducing the carriageway width from 8.3 metres to perhaps 7.0 metres, which gives another 650 mm on each side to footpaths and/or some more width to the parking bays), and

Marking the location between the tram lines with some road markings other than the normal cycle logo (as that defines a cycle lane which no other traffic can routinely use) so that all road users know that this is where cyclists are supposed to be.

The trams will cross the pedestrian area at the junction of High and Lichfield Sts in order to cross the intersection and gain the next section of High St.  This should also provide an opportunity to improve cycling access between these two sections of High St (currently linking them requires an awkward deviation via Manchester St).  Cyclists could simply use the same signals as the trams will use to cross the intersection, while other traffic is stopped.  We request that the project be amended to make provision for such improved access.  The pedestrian crosswalks at the Lichfield / Manchester intersection will also need to be adjusted to take account of the tram tracks and tram movements in the area.

Once again, thanks for the opportunity to provide comment on these projects.  We would like to be heard in support of our submission.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or require further information.

Yours sincerely
Robin Delamore

Robin Delamore
Cycling Improvements convenor - Spokes

The Council is proposing to single lane the stretch of Harewood Rd between the Bishopdale roundabout and Nunweek boulevard, and install cycle lanes.  Apparently the reason this section was chosen (as opposed to the horrible bit between Greers Rd and the roundabout) is partly because of funding allocated for the Breens Gardiners intersection improvements and the intermediate school bubble.

The project looks pretty good - shame about the bit closer to town!  There are some issues with cyclists wanting to do a right turn into the Bishopdale shops, but overall it looks OK.

Because of the amount of road space, the single lane-ing will result in the creation of a flush median on each side of raised centre median. There here may be an opportunity to dispense with this flush median, and instead provide some separation betwen the cycle lane and the vehicle lane, possibly through a flush median in this location instead.a photo of an example from Melbourne (courtesy of Glen) is attached.

A PDF of the consultation leaflet with a detailed plan of the project is attached.  Submissions close on 2 October at 5pm.  A draft submission is proposed as follows:

Dear ...

Thanks for the opportunity to make a submission on this special consultative procedure.  Spokes strongly supports the provision of cycle lanes along Harewood Road between Highsted Road and Nunweek Boulevard.  The project will assist local cyclists and school children, particularly those using the Breen's/ Gardiners Rd intersection.  

It is disappointing that cycle lanes are not being provided between the Highsted Road intersection roundabout and Greer's Road, as parking along on this dual carriageway section makes it extremely cycle unfriendly, particularly during periods of busy traffic.  As such, it tends to create a barrier for cyclists wishing to travel between this part of Bishopdale to Papanui and beyond.

Spokes considers that there are several areas where the proposed cycle lane project could be improved.   An issue with cycle lanes throughout the city is that often fail (at least in the minds of those using them) to provide sufficient separation between cyclists and passing cars, particularly when cars are parked on the inside of the lanes.  This situation can cause discomfit, and put off less experienced riders.   With the single lane-ing of Harewood Road,  the road is being narrowed by the provision of a flush median adjacent to the raised central median.  There is an opportunity to shift this median space away from the centre of the road and use it to provide additional separation between the cycle lane and other traffic.  This approach has been used for cycle lanes in both Australia and the USA, and we would urge its consideration for this project.  

There is currently no provision in the design for cyclists heading SE who wish to access Bishopdale Mall (and facilities such as the supermarket and the gym) at the Mall vehicular entrance and exist just before the roundabout (opposite No 330).  The design of this intersection does not appear to have been developed with cyclists in mind and would be be unfriendly and possibly dangerous, particularly with three lanes to cross.  The intersection design needs to be re-thought with cyclists in mind.

The crossing and refuges on Harewood Road just before the Bishopdale roundabout are the only means by which less confident cyclists can gain access to Bishopdale Mall from Highsted Road and vice versa.  The alternative is an intimidating trip around the multi-laned  roundabout, or a difficult crossing of Harewood Road at the Mall vehicle entrance and exit discussed above.  The profile of the crossing needs to be raised for cyclists, and a short section of cycle lane provided on the wide section of footpath on the corner of Harewood and Highsted Roads to provide safe access back on to Highsted Road at the Caltex entrance.  The bus shelter on Harewood Road outside the Caltex Station also needs to be moved as this currently blocks sightlines for pedestrians and cyclists using this crossing.

We would like to be heard in support of our submission.  Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or require further information.

Cheers
Rob

Robin Delamore
Cycling Improvements convenor - Spokes

Four different consultations on inner city streetworks/ improvement projects are currently being undertaken at the moment, and submissions are due in over the next few weeks.  These projects are:

Regent Street parking - comments due by 5pm 19/08/09.  This is basically about controlling parking on New Regent St., but we need to ensure that cyclists will still be able to use the street.  Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=643

Deans Ave Parking and Safety Improvements - comments due 28/08/09.  This involves narrowing the road and providing parking along the section of Deans Ave between Riccarton and Moorhouse.  We need to ensure that these moves slow traffic, and don't make this route more dangerous for cycling.   Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=645

Hereford Street upgrade - comments due 02/ 09/ 2009.  This is a very interesting proposal to partially narrow and "slow " Hereford Street between Oxford Tce and Manchester St.  No separate provision for cyclists (other than stands), but looks like a potential improvement as long as traffic speeds are actually lowered. Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=647

Oxford Street traffic changes - comments due 09/09/2009.  This involves reversing the one way direction of part of Oxford St along "the Strip", making it two directional south of Cashel St., and providing a turn in and pedestrian refuge off Durham St.  Potentially an opportunity to improve off-street cycling faciltities in the area. Details are at:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=635