Complete the Off-Road Pedestrian/Cycle Facility on SH2 now!

This Tuesday 29 March 2011 at 1.30pm, the Regional Transport Committee comprising the Mayors of the region, will be considering the Hutt Corridor Plan, centred around the Triangle study http://www.gw.govt.nz/committee-meetings-calendar/detail/6877 The RTC meeting is held on the 5th floor of GW building 142 Wakefield St.

The "Upgrade of the off-road cycleway/walkway between Nguaranga and Petone" stands out as a project with widespread support across the region, and significant co-benefits to all modes of transport", said Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Paul Bruce. He said that its construction was also urgent given the extremely poor unsafe alternative.

Cr Bruce said that the construction of the off road cycle/walk pathway will be celebrated as a major step forward to bridging the gap in the Great Harbour Way - Te Aranui o Pōneke. "There are no major blocks to moving to the investigation phase now", Cr Bruce continued, "and public participants will not only be celebrating the upgrade making it onto the agenda, but arguing that the investigation phase be brought forward to 2012/13 (from the 2011/12 financial year) and construction begin as soon as possible'".

The completion of the northern section of the pedestrian/cycle facility on SH2, between Horokiwi and Petone, following a route on the seaward side of the rail tracks north of the Horokiwi intersection, has been given a BCR (Benefit cost ratio) of 1.3 in the Hutt Corridor Plan. And the Plan notes that a completed cycleway will provide a higher standard alternative to assist in absorbing future growth in the demand for travel in the corridor.

However, Cr Bruce said that there are many other very good justifications for proceeding with this project, which are not included. "No safety benefit is included in the calculation despite this being the scene of perhaps the most tragic and high profile cycle death in NZ. And the formula gives no weight to tourist benefits, or the benefits resulting from the protection of the rail corridor.

"A different methodology specified in the LTNZ Research Report 340, Estimating Demand for Cycling Facilities, assuming that the catchment includes Lower Hutt and Wellington City, results in a higher BCR of 3.1. If one takes into account benefits resulting from protection of the rail corridor, then one would expect an even higher BCR ratio.

"Storm surges and the impact of salt water going across tracks, disrupt rail operations 5 to 10 days a year (anecdotal) and sea level rise from climate change will necessitate significant new protection measures to avoid severe disruption to our network.

"The bicycle has many attractions as a form of personal transportation. It alleviates congestion, lowers air pollution, reduces obesity, increases physical fitness, does not emit climate-disrupting carbon dioxide, and is priced within the reach of the billions of people who cannot afford a car. Bicycles increase mobility while reducing congestion and the area of land paved over. Six bicycles can typically fit into the road space used by one car.

For parking, the advantage is even greater, with 20 bicycles occupying the space required to park a car. "Another NZTA study recognises the multiple benefits that come from this arrangement. Using a cycle instead of a car for a 5km plus commuter trip to work, can result in individual and community savings of $8,700 per year (Tim Hughes, 2009).

"This cycle project addresses primarily the inadequate level of service to pedestrians and cyclists that has existed for most of the last century. A 2010 survey indicated that about 450 cyclists used the median strip on the Hutt road, and this can be compared to the 42,000 vehicle movements on that stretch all moving at 100km/hr (NZTA).

"Leading US cycle advocate, Gil Penalosa, would not find this surprising, as he maintains that only 1% "kamikaze cyclists" will use a state highway with no cycling infrastructure. A white painted stripe may lead to 5% using the road. However, according to Penalosa, the provision of a protected cycle way connecting major centres will lead to an increase of 10 to 30% cycle commuters.

"Wellington city has itself seen a doubling of cycle numbers from improvements in road markings and provision of a cycle peak lane along Thorndon Quay. The Ara Harakeke Cycleway (The Flax Pathway) between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay was completed, and PCC, who do regular cycle counts, reported the number of cyclists increased by 800%. If Penalosa is right, a completed safe link between the two major cities would lead to a minimum ten fold increase in cyclists.

"This new section of pedestrian/cycleway can be thought of as the first stage of the “Great Harbour Way” concept and should be built to standards consistent with the vision for that concept (i.e. a 4-5m wide shared-use (cycle/ pedestrian) facility). The report notes that if measured demand on this new facility is sufficient it will provide justification for completion of the “Great Harbour Way” between Horokiwi and Ngauranga. Steve Fitzgerald memorial cycle way!

"The deaths of two cyclists in the Wellington region on Friday 19 June 2008, the leading expert on road safety and keen cyclist at the Petone roundabout, Steve Fitzgerald, highlighted for many New Zealanders the need for our roads to be made safer for people wanting to cycle.

"In the following week, GW Chair Fran Wilde convened a meeting of representatives from Hutt, Wellington, the Police, Transit, Tranzrail, Ontrack, NZTA and Greater Wellington. All agreed on the urgent need for a safe cycleway from the Hutt Valley to Wellington.

"Finally, Dave Bamford of Tourism Consultants, who has been involved with earlier studies , the creation of the 'Big Coast' cycle event and as a consultant for the Baring Head Tourism and Recreation Options Study, sent a message reaffirming his support for the Great Harbourway - Te Aranui o Poneke, and indicating strong support for careful and early planning.

"Lets honour that agreement and Steve Fitgerald and move immediately to the investigation phase of the Steve Fitzgerald cycle way as part of the Great Harbour Way - Te Aranui o Pōneke", Cr Paul Bruce
concluded.

ends

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