https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/475

Introduction
Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,200 members and is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch area.
We would like the opportunity to appear at any public hearing held to consider submissions on these projects. Should there be an officer’s report or similar document(s) we would appreciate a copy(s).
If you require further information or there are matters requiring clarification, please contact our Submissions Convenor (and Secretary), Chris Abbott in the first instance. His contact details are:
Address: 101B Nayland Street, Christchurch 8081
Phone: 021 654 344
Email: secretary@spokes.org.nz

Spokes supports the introduction of two new pedestrian / cyclist islands on Langdons Rd, with the following observations and requests for action.

Major Issue: General Cyclist Safety in the area.

We ask that CCC addresses the “elephant in the room” – in this case the bigger safety issue of allowing the safe passage of cyclists and their bikes along the Northern Line Cycleway and across and into Langdons Rd.

Crossing Langdons Road is becoming increasingly dangerous as the volume of traffic increases due to the popularity of the big box stores and other businesses in the area.  Motorists also use this road as a feeder road through to the Main North Road.

Currently this risky intersection (from the viewpoint of cyclists in particular) is not signalised.  Given the apparent traffic volumes cyclists deserve the signalised protection afforded at Fendalton Rd, Glandovey Rd and many other intersections along the Northern Line Cycleway.

The hump in the railway line makes it difficult to see traffic travelling east (to main North Road).  Cyclists often sight the traffic late and it is difficult to judge the speed as some cars slow for the railway line and others do not.   Motorists often fail to see cyclists trying to cross.   The dog leg at the crossing when travelling south down the Northern Line exacerbates the problems.  There is not enough space for more than one bike at a time to cross safely.  The Papanui High students take concerning risks here as they try to go in groups.

The Northern Line Cycleway is popular with young cyclists, including students of Papanui High School, those going to Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre and those going to sport at the Papanui Domain.    Family use has also increased as a route to get through to the Northern Arterial by connecting via Sawyers Arms Road to the Papanui Parallel, and from Northcote Road down Queen Elizabeth II Drive to Brighton.   The volume will increase again once the Nor’West Arc and Wheels to Wings cycleways are built.

Less Major Issue: Suitability of the Cycle Infrastructure for Larger Bikes

A Google map streetview of 30 Langdons Rd does not make clear whether the Cycleway is safe and/or suitable for anything other than standard bikes.  The corners coming from the north are very tight and the bike lane is narrow, making it especially difficult for larger bikes eg cargo bikes.  The gap between bollards looks very  narrow.  Can someone at CCC please advise the current dimensions?  In parallel I will try to arrange a site visit by someone on a cargo bike with bin to test passage and measure dimensions.

The area must also accommodate cargo bikes, increasingly being used by parents of infants and young children to move around Christchurch city in a sustainable manner.  We ask that the pedestrian islands and surrounding area are designed and either:

• The pedestrian islands are built to allow for cargo bikes (electrified or not) and their precious human cargo. The islands must be big enough to fully contain any bikes (preferably two simultaneously) and allow room to stop safely without protruding into the traffic lanes. OR
• The surrounding road design makes it safe for cargo bikes and other traffic.

Summary

Spokes supports the addition of two pedestrian / cyclist islands in principle.

Most importantly Spokes asks that CCC address the safety issues in the vicinity especially at the intersection of the Northern Line Cycleway and Langdons Rd.

As a lesser issue (but certainly not lesser to the parents on cargo bikes with children aboard!) Spokes is happy to let the CCC engineers design the appropriate infrastructure and pedestrian islands to include cargo bikes, which vary in length from a standard bike at c.1750mm long up to specialised ebikes at c.2300mm long.  Specific examples can be provided on request.

Thank you for your consideration.

Kind Regards, Chris Abbott
Secretary & Submissions Convenor, Spokes Canterbury
secretary@spokes.org.nz 
www.spokes.org.nz
Cell: 021 654 344