Due 6 March 2020
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/292
Spokes appreciates that the Board has prioritized the need to implement “a safe and sustainable transport network.” With the growth of housing, employment and cycling numbers in the Board area the need for long underfunded and overdue safe inviting cycling infrastructure needs to be a top priority.
Including safe cycling infrastructure should be prioritized as it supports these goals and Council’s commitment to being carbon neutral by 2045. Getting children and adults onto bicycles improves public, personal and community health and lowers transport costs. It also significantly reduces emissions.
With higher density congestion and parking problems increase. We do not have the money or space for all of us to drive as our primary mode. Providing safe cycle infrastructure offers affordable relief, saving ratepayers and supporting mode choice.
Children should be given safe routes to school, activities, socializing and the rest of the city be they on foot, bicycle, scooter, skateboard. Transport mode equity should be a reality for all of us, 8 to 80, sooner rather than later.
Memorial Avenue desperately needs a separated cycle path, both to allow locals access to and from work and travel opportunities and to provide tourists a safe direct link from the airport to the city and beyond. Cycle tourists have been put off Christchurch having encountered such an unsafe route.
The local cycle network is lacking. Sawyers Arms, Harewood and Wairakei Roads need completed safe infrastructure. They are too indirect to serve the airport for most travellers, but great for local cycling needs and to other destinations. Glandovey/Heaton has little used on street parking on both sides. Removing one side of parking would allow safe cycle infrastructure.
At the very least prioritizing low cost Quiet Streets is essential. Please empower local residents who cycle regularly to sit down with staff to develop good routes. Spokes is happy to help.
Cycling also supports youth activity. Getting kids on bikes is activity which does not require a ride in a car to get to. Providing safe infrastructure which parents feel comfortable with their children using will increase participation.
People on bikes are more connected to their communities. They see more, are “eyes on the street” in alignment with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, CPTED. Cell phones allow them to report quickly as needed.
When improving Nunweek Park facilities please work with people who cycle to suss out routes and to provide well located, adequate cycle parking.
Shared Paths can be challenging for both pedestrians and people on bikes. Inadequate design and complaints can lead to expensive reworking of infrastructure when uptake exceeds projections. Uptake of cycling infrastructure in Christchurch has already exceeded projections.
The safety audit for signalizing Harewood/Breens/Gardiners Road must be heeded. Unsafe design should not be built based on emotional responses. Please consider human life and the horrific consequences for all involved in road crashes. It is beyond disappointing that some Councillors voted against improving this intersection as it was included in bringing forward the Wheels to Wings MCR.
