Media release

October 10, 2008

Cycle lanes get the green light

Plans to make Waitakere a more cycle-friendly city are moving forward with the commencement of detailed design work for cycle lanes on three city roads.

The Waitakere City Council cycle projects are planned for Triangle Road in Massey, Te Atatu Road in Te Atatu Peninsula and Central Park Drive in Henderson.

The Triangle Road project involves creating on-road cycle lanes on both sides of the road between Don Buck Road and Lincoln Road and a new walk and cycle bridge alongside Huruhuru Creek. Some recessed parking bays will be installed along Triangle Road.

In Te Atatu Peninsula the plan is to create on-road cycle lanes on both sides of Te Atatu Rd from Harbour View Road to Cellarmans Street, as well as an off-road cycleway on the eastern side of Cellarmans Street to State Highway 16 (alongside Harbourview Park).

The third plan, for Central Park Drive, combines a section of on-road cycle lanes with an off-road shared path.

An off-road path shared with pedestrians, is planned for the northern side of Central Park Drive from Lincoln Road to the entrance of the North Western cycleway. On the opposite side of the road, an on-road cycle lane is planned. An off-road shared path will also be provided in front of the Trusts Stadium to the Universal Drive extension.

Consultation was held with residents, businesses and road users earlier this year, with many respondents welcoming the introduction of cycling infrastructure to help make roads safer and more user-friendly for cyclists. Opposition centred on the loss of on-road parking.

“Cyclists require dedicated infrastructure to move around the city safely and efficiently. One of the main reasons people give for not cycling is that they feel unsafe on the roads,” says Waitakere deputy mayor Penny Hulse.

“These projects not only respond to the safety needs of cyclists but encourage and promote active modes of transport.

“By providing more dedicated cycling infrastructure the council aims to encourage more people to cycle and to make our roads safer for those people already choosing to travel by this sustainable mode of transport,” she says.

Construction of the new cycleways are expected to begin this summer.

ENDS

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