This is a large much needed project. The first parts are covered here with the last sections leading to Hagley park to come.
Link to Council Have Your Say Due in by 1 April
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/215
Overview
The first take on it is that is more complicated than required. A quiet streets sharrows approach would work well on many of the streets slated for separated bi directional cycle paths and/or shared paths.
Another issue is that with 11 new signalized intersections this route may well add 10+ minutes to the routes travel time.
Finally, where is the infrastructure for people who wish to efficiently commute by bicycle? This is not provided for. It is great to cater to the interested but concerned, but not to neglect the needs of cycle commuters.
At the very least CCC needs to undertake a serious sustained education and promotion campaign targeted at sharing the road and why people on bicycles have rights and needs to use roads, even where a cycle alternative might be available.
Draft Sub
General comments
This route has the potential to be an enormous asset for those who live on or near it. Council is to be congratulated for giving people who live in Templeton and Rolleston the option to cycle to Christchurch. Many users will be super keen to see this built and to start using it!
Sheet 15 provides a great example of something missing from this and too many other cycle infrastructure projects, Cycle parking. Providing some outside the superette is obvious.
CPTED concerns require good lighting and where possible line of sight observation. Especially true in the transmission corridor and Paparua stream, but in all areas.
All channel crossings to be smooth. Lip edge descending kerbs make for uncomfortable riding and are hard on bikes, scooters, wheel chairs, etc.
Seal should be smooth, utility covers should not be in the traffic lane and should be smooth transition with non-slip surface where they must be. Machine laid seal is preferred.
Good signage will help. In some instances painted to the surface will be fine. But don’t leave people to wonder just what it is they are supposed to do.
A nice touch would be to have some special Southern Express feature along the path somewhere, some seating in the parks or one of those bike repair stations. As designed this is more a Southern Meander than an express. Take advantage of this shortcoming.
Commuter cyclists are not well served by this route which will likely add 10 minutes to the commute. When will Council implement improvements on arterial routes to serve the needs of those who need to travel from a to b efficiently by bicycle? Spokes understands that Council is focused on the 8-80 group, but it is clearly at the expense of cycle commuters.
NIMBY pushback is always an issue. Spokes supports this project but also acknowledges that some of the streets selected for major changes could be designated as Quiet Streets with sharrow painting and signage. This would preserve on street parking, reduce costs and perhaps mollify some of the opposition.
General comments
This route has the potential to be an enormous asset for those who live on or near it as well as cycling overall. Council is to be congratulated for giving people who live in Templeton and Rolleston and all those between the option to cycle to Christchurch. With e bikes becoming more common cycling longer distances will make a valuable addition to reducing car congestion. Many users will be super keen to see this built and to start using it!
Sheet 15 provides a great example of something missing from this and too many other cycle infrastructure projects, Cycle parking. Providing some outside the superette is obvious, as is providing it everywhere it is needed in support of this route and cycling in general. Christchurch has world class water, let’s make it available in fountains every 5 k’s or so along this route.
CPTED concerns require good lighting and where possible line of sight observation. This is especially true in the transmission corridor and Paparua stream, but in all areas.
All channel crossings to be smooth. Lip edge descending kerbs make for uncomfortable riding and are hard on bikes, scooters, wheel chairs, etc.
Seal should be smooth, utility covers should not be in the traffic lane and should be smooth transition with non-slip surface where they must be. Machine laid seal is preferred.
Good signage helps. Painted surfaces may be fine. But don’t leave people to wonder just what it is they are supposed to do. Make it obvious, especially where there are distractions.
A nice touch would be to have some special South Express feature along the path, some seating in the parks or one of those bike repair stations. As designed this is more a Southern Meander than an express. Take advantage of this shortcoming.
Commuter cyclists are not well served by this route which will likely add 10 minutes to the commute. When will Council implement improvements on arterial routes to serve the needs of those who need to travel from a to b efficiently by bicycle? Spokes understands that Council is focused on the 8-80 group, but it is clearly at the expense of cycle commuters.
Spokes supports this project. NIMBY pushback is always an issue. While some of the streets selected for major changes could be designated as Quiet Streets with sharrow painting and signage it is inappropriate to risk the lives of people who cycle and to continue to discourage the young and the vulnerable by compromising in the face of opposition from those who simply cannot abide losing parking or accepting that roads are for all transport modes to use safely. Where changes are considered they should be judged by what is best and safest for all road users. Roads are for travel, not for storage. Long experience has shown that we cannot build ourselves out of car congestion.
South Express Templeton and Islington Maps / Area
| Sheet | Recommendation | Comment |
| 1 | The cycleway should stay on the
South side of Jones Rd so it joins straight to the Rolleston- Templeton route. Extend the route to the Selwyn / CCC boundary. |
The Rolleston to Templeton route is under construction already so should be in advance of this one. Hence avoids a crossing back and forth across the road. |
| 3 | Please angle the intersection marked 5 further to allow more efficient crossing of the road | Ideally even the fastest cyclists will see this as a good route – to do this we need the entry to the cycleway to be a smooth (not sharp) corner. |
| 3 | Please consider adding a side route up Kirk Rd from Waterloo Rd to Bailey St.
Make allowance to extend the cycleway through over the railway lines to SH1, allowing for the future SDC cycleway down Trents Rd. |
This side route would provide safe access to large areas of the Templeton community, the Templeton Swimming Pool, community centre, the new Medical centre plus several other businesses.
As per the Selwyn District Council recommendation – they plan to build this route in future so make allowance for this. |
| 7 | Please modify kerbs up to the cycleway to allow easy movement of cyclists to and from the on-road 1.8m wide path to the cycleway. | Faster cyclists will likely be travelling on the road, so allow them a places to efficiently join the cycleway. |
| 8 | Please modify kerbs up to the cycleway to allow easy movement of cyclists travelling from Templeton on the cycleway to turn north down pound road (without jumping the kerb) | The right angled crossing point will be extremely slow so by giving commuter cyclists an option to leave the cycleway and join the road will at least get them on the cycleway for the majority of this route. It is better to have them on the cycleway for 95% of their journey. |
| 9, 10, 11, 12 | Please continue the cycle route on the south side of the road rather than crossing to the North side, going through 4 intersections then crossing back to the south side. Apply green paint over driveway into business park and at Enterprise Ave with give way per CDG 2.5.4. The crossing point is too close to roundabout move to the west and signalise for safe crossing. Add signage to make clear cyclists to cross to N side of Waterloo. Apply green paint over Islington and give way. | The proposed cycle route is very inefficient and is unlikely to be used by most cyclists. Please change the route.
With the current route the majority of cyclists will not use it – leaving them on the less safe roadway routes. |
| 16 | Please add one or more kerb crossing point to allow easy movement of cyclists travelling from Templeton on the cycleway to turn north down Gilberthorpes Road (without jumping the kerb). | Recommendation is this is located approximately at the edge of sheet 16 west of the traffic island.
We cannot expect cyclists to use the cycleway if the only option for leaving / entering onto it is via the crossing points given which will cause large travel delays. |
| 16/17 | Suggest the shared use path is continued rather than changing to a cycleway and footway for 150m. | Transitioning from a shared use path to separated paths for a length of 150m is likely just to add to the confusion. Marking on the path to direct cyclists away from the driveways is good but please no kerbs. |
| 18 | Install kerb crossing near the No.4 on the map to allow cyclist to join and leave the cycleway from the road. | Saves faster cyclists needing to jump the kerb. |
| 19-22 | The Hei Hei Rd route is good but there needs to be an alternative for commuter cyclists. See recommendation below. | This route is very good for local users and will be very valuable for the local schools. |
| 19 | An on-road cycle route or other cycle safety improvements need to be made to Waterloo Rd through to and around the Blenheim Rd roundabout.
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All but the most risk adverse cyclists who are travelling long distances will travel along Waterloo Rd through the Blenheim Rd roundabout. The number of cyclists on this section of road will dramatically increase and they deserve to be provided some safety (but this should be an efficient route).
The proposed improvements would be along the following route: – Along Waterloo Rd from Hei Hei Rd through to Racecourse Rd. – Along Racecourse Rd to the Blenheim Rd Roundabout, – With improvements to the crossing points around the Blenheim Rd roundabout. – Extended from the Blenheim Rd roundabout along Main South Road until it rejoins the cycleway. Alternatives are either an on-road cycleway on both sides of the road, or a separated bi-directional cycleway, but I feel something needs to be done here.
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| 22 | Please consider adding a side route up Buchanans Rd to the West from Hei Hei Rd for approximately 800m. | This will allow safe and easy access to large areas of the community, Gilberthorpe School, the Jarmac Blvd community and on road cycle route and a safe route through to SH73 & Christchurch football academy. |
| 22 | Provide a kerb crossing point at the end of Hei Hei Rd to allow cyclists to easily leave the cycleway and head West down Buchanans Rd. Recommend that an underpass is installed across Carmen Rd. | Don’t make people jump the kerb. Drivers won’t want an additional signalised stop – Answer: install an overpass or a tunnel like the Harewood/Johns Road one. |
| 23 | Apply green paint across Vanguard and give way on Vanguard per CDG 2.5.4 | |
| General comments | ||
| Spokes would like to see more cyclists using cycleways where they are available and less on the road. All cyclists deserve a safe cycling option, not only those who are willing to take a much slower route. In order for this to happen we need to minimise the number of slow points on the routes or there to be kerbs in place so experienced riders can avoid these show points.
To support this efficiency it needs to be easier to enter and exit cycleways in more places. As an example taken from the Shag Rock cycleway – the great new cycleway over the estuary is really good but because the entry and exit points are very safe (and slow) the majority of cyclists choose to stay on the roadway. The installation of kerbs which allow faster cyclists to easily transfer from the road to the cycleway would vastly increase the number of people on this off-road cycleway. See below image of one end of this cycleway section.
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South Express – Sockburn Section
| Sheet | Recommendation | Comment |
| Sheet 28 – Transmission Corridor and Paparua Stream Reserve | Using the existing bridges makes sense now but these may need upgrading later if there is a significant increase in traffic. Suggest signs “Please slow down” just before narrow part. Looking forward to the transmission corridor. | The layout will work well. Paparua Stream Reserve is nice to cycle through. |
| Sheet 29 – Paparua Stream Reserve and Epsom Road | The entrance to Paparua Stream looks sharp and constrained. The yellow bubbles on the road at the point of the turn makes it worse particularly in the rain. | |
| Sheet 30 – Epsom Road and Middlepark Road | Prefer cycle lane at the corner (2) the of Epsom Road and Middleton Road was wider as it is a blind corner. | |
| Sheet 31 – Middlepark Road | No issues | |
| Sheet 32 – Middlepark Road | Replace the proposed crossing with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways. | Entry to the Park needs textured surface, speed hump or barriers to slow cyclists before crossing.
Consider removing the two speed bumps if the combined crossing is put in place as they distract motorist’s attention away from other road users. |
| Sheet 33 – Middlepark Road and Craven Street | Remove the roundabout entirely. Change Middlepark Road to a Stop (above 2 on map). Remove the road crossing on Middlepark Road or move it further north. This will help the bus and slow turning traffic. Widen the cycle lane to 4 meters on the corner to improve the blind corner. | |
| Sheet 34 – Craven Street and Main South Road | Move the road crossing to the other side of Our Lady of Victories School (near 9 Craven Street). | Continue the cycleway on even side of street from the point This is safer as it is further from the corner and allows better separation of school traffic and the cycleway. Replace the proposed crossing (4) with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways. |
| Sheet 35 – Main South Road | At 2.5M for the cycle lane this is tight in an area with a lot of different types of users including elderly. A 4M plus shared path may be a better solution for this short section between the crossing and Craven Street? The crossing definitely needs to be widened. | |
| Sheet 36 – Main South Road | English Street goes to Riccarton Primary. The pedestrian crossing should be upgraded to a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways. Changes should be made to get cyclists around the corner into English St. The road through the cycleway from the pedestrian crossing is confusing. Extend the crossing across the cycleway. | |
| Sheet 37 – Curletts Road Intersection | This is a very busy intersection. A tunnel would be ideal, but this solution may be the best alternative. It is not clear if cyclists and pedestrians need their own signal sequence. How can waiting cyclists and pedestrians be made safer? | |
| Sheet 38 – Main South Road and Riccarton Road | Provide a crossing point over the traffic island in the middle of Riccarton Rd to allow those on the cycleway travelling east to cross Riccarton Rd and join the east moving carriageway on Riccarton Rd. | Cyclists leaving the cycleway will wish to travel onwards to the city. Great to see the extension though to Countdown. |
South Express – Upper Riccarton to Hagley Park
| Sheet | Recommendation | Comment |
| Sheet 39 – Ballantyne Avenue | No issues with this section. | This is a very quiet street. |
| Sheet 40 Ballantyne Ave and Suva Street | 2.5m too narrow for MCR, widen to 3m minimum. Angle kerb to reduce peddle strike. | |
| Sheet 41 – Suva Street | Part of the Norwest Arc previously consulted on. | |
| Sheet 43 – Suva Street, Middleton Road and Park | Can the cycle crossing be moved closer to Suva St.? Provide good lighting through Middleton park | This would make crossing more efficient. Ideally the route should be in between Suva St and the Middleton park track to improve efficient travel. |
| Sheet 44 – Middleton Park | No issues | |
| Sheet 45 – Lochee Road | Replace the proposed crossing (1) with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways. 2.5m is too narrow for a MCR widen to 3m minimum.
An angle crossing over Lochee Road will make for efficient crossing. |
People will not like having to stop and cross at right angles (unless vehicles are coming). |
| Sheet 46 – Lochee Road, Wharenui Road and Peverel St | No issues | |
| Sheet 47 – Peverel St | No issues | |
| Sheet 48 – Peverel St, Centennial Ave and Elizabeth Street. | Replace the proposed crossing (2) with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways. The corner of Huia Street should give priority to the cycle lane. Push the stop sign back before the cycleway and colour that area green (similar to Hinau and Puriri St) to indicate cycles have right of way. At a minimum green paint and stop across Huia per CDG 2,5.4. | |
| Sheet 49 – Elizabeth St | The cycleway should have priority across Wainui Road, replace the proposed crossing (5) with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways and speed humps. | |
| Sheet 50 – Elizabeth, Matipo Intersection | The idea is to reduce traffic on Elizabeth Street. Double car lanes should not be necessary for turning traffic. Remove to keep the cycle lane 3M wide with some additional space at the intersection. Matipo Street carries a lot of traffic. Without space the same problems as Matai E St. & Deans Ave
will hobble this intersection. |
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| Sheet 51 – Elizabeth Street and Division St | This layout initially looks cumbersome but the more you visualise it as you are biking down Elizabeth Street the more you appreciate it as a really good bike friendly solution. | Well done.
At one of the consultation nights a roundabout was suggested. Spokes does not support this approach for safety reasons. |
| Sheet 52 Elizabeth and Clarence Streets | Reduced traffic in Elizabeth Street should need only one lane. Widen the cycle path to allow for waiting cyclists. | The cul-de-sac on Elizabeth Street is a good outcome. |
| Sheet 53 Elizabeth and Picton Ave | Not in favour of off-set crossings as they distract car drivers and encourage cyclists to speed and not look over their shoulder for traffic. Move the crossing further down Picton Ave (27?) and replace the proposed crossing (3) with a combined cycle and pedestrian crossing similar to Ilam Road crossing into Ilam Fields suitable for many forms of transport including scooters. Add give-way signs both ways with speed bumps. 2.5m too narrow for MCR, widen to 3m minimum. | |
| Sheet 54 – Picton Ave and Blenheim Road | The cycleway is narrow particularly on a blind corner, Is there another option? | Keeping this path on Blenheim Road at a different height to the road would help. |
| Sheet 55 – Blenheim, Manderville and Lowe Streets | Clear guidance and signage to ensure novices remain on the cycle path is important. Some sort of colour treatment through the corner from 62R to 3 would help. | This works surprising well as a route even now. There are a lot of different options for cyclist on this corner. |
| Sheet 56 – Old Blenheim Road | Works well except the railway crossing design is not as good as the Matai St one. | |
| Hagley Park | The existing shared path in Hagley Park is barely coping with current level of use. This will need to be upgraded to a 4 M wide path |
