Exciting plans afoot for city cycling

2 September 2004

The possibility of purchasing land around the city to build a dedicated network of cycling corridors through Christchurch is just one idea to be scoped  in the Christchurch Cycling Strategy 2004, released this month.

The City Council renewed its commitment and determination to make Christchurch more cycle-friendly with the release of the strategy to Service Centres, libraries, bike shops, and other cycling and transport interest groups this week.

The strategy maps how Council aims to achieve its three objectives for cycling to:

• increase the level of cycling,
• increase enjoyment of cycling and
• increase safety for cyclists in Christchurch.

Adopted by Council at the end of July, the strategy plans to speed up further development of the city’s cycling network and promotion, says Council Transport Planner, Michael Ferigo.

This includes completing cycle routes around intermediate and high schools, examining the potential to provide more cycle routes to popular destinations and putting cycle stands at these destinations.

There were also plans to identify high-profile off-road cycle facilities citywide and, where needed, to buy properties through which to build cycle corridors.

“We might, for example, look at coming into town from the  suburbs through  parks and existing corridors and, where absolutely necessary, buying sections to link these corridors. We will even look at using the existing railway corridors,” Mr Ferigo says.

The strategy is a confirmation by Council of its full commitment to cycling and aim to more actively promote cycling as part of Christchurch’s  sustainable transport mix, Mr Ferigo says.

About 60 submissions were received as part of the consultation process in the run up to adoption of the strategy, of which 90% fully supported the Council vision for cycling.

Some, however, wanted more spent on education of drivers, regarding cycling, while others wanted more education of cyclists. There was also a call for Council to redistribute funding so that, instead of the approximate 4% of Transport and City Streets  capital  transport budget being spent on cycling, this be increased to 30% for cycling and pedestrians, 30% for public transport, and the rest on roading, Mr Ferigo says.

For further details, contact Michael Ferigo, City Council Transport Planner, Cycling and Pedestrians, phone 941 8925.

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