26 April 2016

Work begins on two new Rotorua cycleways; feedback sought on third

Progression on Rotorua’s 26km CyWay network continues with two new suburban cycleways underway and community input sought for a third.

Following completion of a two-way cycleway on Morey Street in Owhata, the community is now being asked what it would like to see on the nearby Brent Road to link with the cycleway.

Meanwhile, work on footpath widening for a shared use cycleway in Springfield should begin mid-May and finish mid-July, weather permitting.

The Springfield cycleway will essentially be a 2.5m extension to the footpath along Springfield Road.

The CyWay project team is also establishing a new cycleway along Ward Avenue in Fenton Park.

Rotorua’s $5.52m CyWay project will see the development of a network of 26km cycling and walking paths that will connect the central city and forest mountain bike trails and is part of the Government’s $296 million Urban Cycleway Programme.

Rotorua Lakes Council sustainable transport team leader Jodie Lawson says the Ward Avenue cycleway will consist of on road cycle lane markings. This project will connect to the McIntyre Reserve, where a 2.5m wide concrete path will make its way through to Sala Street to connect to the Whakarewarewa Forest via a new crossing.

The third addition will be in Brent Road as a continuation of the two-way cycleway project on Morey Street.

“For now we’ve stopped works because we want to gather feedback from our community on what improvements they would like to see, and we’d love to hear from anyone who has ideas.”

The new cycleways will mean some changes to the way residents on the routes enter and exit their properties but it is hoped the new cycleways will be something that all residents can use and enjoy.

“The areas getting new cycleways will be affected while work is underway but we will keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

“The overall aim of the CyWay network is to make riding a bike as safe, practical and enjoyable for anyone who wants to ride.”

The CyWay network will connect suburbs and link to existing and planned cycleways on main routes.

Different types of cycleway are being established across the city, depending on factors like traffic volumes, the widths of roads and footpaths, and the likely users, with some being incorporated into roads while others are on separated paths.

“Alongside creating the cycleways we are working with schools and communities to educate cyclists and motorists and identify opportunities for cycling skills programmes,” Ms Lawson says.

“We are working closely with the Re-Cycle Rotorua Committee which includes representatives from the Rotorua Cycle Action Group, Sport Bay of Plenty, Healthy Families, Rotary, Toi Te Ora – Public Health, Bikes in Schools, the police and the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club.”

Funding for the CyWay network is shared between Rotorua Lakes Council ($1.9m), New Zealand Transport Agency’s National Land Transport Fund ($2.1m) and the government’s Urban Cycleways Fund ($1.5m).

“The Cy-Way network will contribute towards Rotorua’s cycling network and urban cycling strategic plan,” Ms Lawson says.

“The vision is a district where people from all sectors of the community can and do cycle safely, as an alternative means of transport and/or for recreation.”

Members of the public can contact Jodie Lawson at Rotorua Lakes Council, or provide feedback about the CyWay project at www.cyway.nz

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