North Shore City Council To Review Cycle Lanes Strategy

February 16, 2008

North Shore City Council's infrastructure and environment committee held its first meeting of the year this week and resolved to take a fresh look at issues surrounding cycle ways. North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams says cycle lanes have been a very hot topic amongst residents in recent months. "Until we complete a review of the cycling strategy, on-road cycle lane contracts will be subject to case by case approval."

“In particular, the new on-road cycle lanes along Lake Rd between Takapuna and Devonport have created quite a public stir, and I think it is only fair to the North Shore community as a whole that the council takes a close look at its cycling strategies."

“Issues like safety and value for money need to be fully reviewed by council officers and this new council to check whether we’re still on the right track. The cycling strategy was developed in 2003, approved by the council in 2004 but has not been reviewed or updated since then. So it's time for us to carefully look at the whole cycling issue and ensure we are delivering what is best for our North Shore community. There are many schools of thought on thῩs, and we are seeing great results in our off-road recreational cycling network. But there are significant concerns in respect of on-road cycle lanes.

At the same committee meeting, following a presentation from Cycle Action Auckland, the council announced its “strong support” for walking and cycling access across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, providing that Transit New Zealand is fully satisfied with engineering, safety and funding issues.

The committee moved that the provision of such access should be undertaken concurrently with the upcoming major maintenance upgrade of the bridge.

(ends)

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