From:
Tim Kerr
Date:
Aug 05 08:22 UTC
Short link
Paul,
For years I have been niggling at Transit NZ about lack of cycle access
along the short section of the Southern ring road - that is, the Opawa
Expressway.
Now it looks as though some sort of cycle lanes are being painted in along
the route. However, I can get no sense from anyone as to what is happening.
If the East-heading lane is going to be widened to the little paint spots
that have been applied then, frankly, there will be no room for trucks -
UNLESS someone decides that cyclists can only go one-way along the route.
(God help us!)
Having cycled the route a few times over the years I can only say that the
bridge seems a little too narrow. mainly though, because the crash barriers
are inset from the side of the bridge and are also too low for relatively
high-of-the-ground cyclists.
Apart from that - a pretty minor issue compared to bridges dotted around
other parts of the country - the only other problem is taking a
right-turning lane at the western end if you want to turn into Ensors Rd.
At the eatern end with the double converging lanes off Garlands Rd there is
a pinch point as you enter the expressway - which could be easily solved.
But what is the story? Have the "no cycling" signs been removed? (I haven't
noticed them lately...)
With the new alterations to the Port Hills Rd I would think cycling along
this route would be more pleasant than it was. So far though, I haven't
ridden out that way since the changes.
What is happening? I'm particularly curious because over many years Transit
assured me it would be "impossible" to allow cyclits on the route.
Cheers,
Tim Kerr
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul de Spa" <p.despa@paradise.net.nz>
To: "Canterbury Public Issues Forum"
<canterburyissues@forums.e-democracy.org>
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 9:24 PM
Subject: [Canterbury Issues] Guest Speaker (Paul de Spa): SPOKES and the
state of cycling in Christchurch
> Kia ora, gidday, I’m Paul de Spa. I’ve been reading this forum since last
> year, when I (along with many of the people who were posting here at the
> time!) was standing in the local elections (Chch City Council,
> Spreydon-Heathcote ward, missed out by a couple thousand votes)… but this
> is the first time I’ve posted. I’ve been invited to be a guest speaker for
> a week, in my role as chair of SPOKES.
>
> Quick bit of background: My day job is teaching environmental education
> programmes through the regional council (ECan); a decade ago I was a
> primary school teacher. Between 2001 and 2007 I was an elected member of
> the Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board. I’ve worked for a number of
> volunteer organisations, most with a green / environmental purpose.
> Promoting organic food, helping restore ecosystems, collecting for
> Amnesty… all have claimed a share of my time over the years. I joined the
> Green Party in 1999, stood as the party’s candidate in Wigram in 2002, and
> served as National Co-convenor (i.e. party president, or the male half of
> this gender-balanced role) from 2003-06.
>
> Since last year’s election I’ve decided to have a bit more time with my
> family: my partner Justine and sons Luka (15) and Connor (12) have always
> been my top priority, but it’s hard to make room for everything…
> However the one “cause” I am sticking with is promoting cycling, and
> advocating for a better deal for people who cycle (and the thousands more
> who would like to) in Christchurch. I am currently chair of SPOKES
> Canterbury, Christchurch’s cycling advocacy group, and a member of the
> national organisation CAN (Cycling Advocates Network).
>
> SPOKES has a membership of just over 1000 people. It’s easy to join as
> there is no membership fee – all you have to do is visit our website
> www.spokes.org.nz and sign up to receive our (monthly email) newsletter.
> SPOKES aims to improve the state of cycling in Christchurch (within or
> near the city boundaries), including:
>
> • Increasing the safety and efficiency of streets (and off-road paths) for
> cyclists.
> • Improving the number and quality of all cycling facilities, and of urban
> design generally, in order to encourage many more people to choose cycling
> as a means of transport.
> • Giving a “cyclists perspective” in public debate, be it submissions to
> councils, the mainstream media, or open forums like this one..!
>
> OK, now it’s time to play “What Was The Question?” Let’s say the answer
> is:
>
> “Invest significantly in high-quality facilities, promotions and other
> incentives, to make cycling in our cities and towns as safe, efficient and
> enjoyable as possible for all people.”
>
> So, what was the question..? Was it:
> 1) What is the most cost-effective strategy to reduce transport-related
> carbon emissions?
> 2) Identify a public health measure that will reduce the incidence of
> diseases such as type-2 diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, and depression.
> 3) How can central and local government best support their citizens to
> deal with the rising cost of fuel, and future-proof our communities as oil
> supplies begin to dwindle?
> 4) How can we help kids travel to school the way they would most like to?
> (See: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/saferoutes/#data )
> 5) How can we give people the means to raise their general level of health
> and fitness without requiring them to spend any additional time or money
> doing so?
> 6) What can we do that will give people more fun in their everyday lives,
> and yet save rather than cost them money?
> 7) What about a way to reduce noise pollution in the inner city, make the
> streets safer and more pleasant for people to walk along, and reduce
> traffic congestion, making it easier for those who need to drive to get
> where they’re going?
>
> (NB – even the small percentage of the population who are very young, very
> old or have a disability that means they can’t ride a bike will still
> benefit from implementing the answer to the questions above.)
>
> “Invest significantly” means a decent chunk of the roading budget (say 10
> percent instead of current levels around one percent), and maybe some of
> the health budget too..?
>
> … feel free to add your own questions into the mix.
>
> … or to ask me any different questions, raise challenges, etc.
>
> … have a look at www.spokes.org.nz and sign up if you want
>
>
> Paul de Spa
>
> Info about Paul de Spa: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/pauldespa
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/6EtL9tPbbrQ3kywapGYMs4
> -----------------------------------------
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>
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>
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> -----------------------------------------
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3:51 PM
From:
Paul de Spa
Date:
Aug 05 10:21 UTC
Short link
Hi Tim
I’m not sure what is happening along the Opawa expressway, it’s been a while
since I rode over there, although when I lived in Woolston I biked in that area
most days.
Of course, there is a wonderful off-road path running parallel to the
expressway – pleasant, meandering through trees – but next to useless because
there is no connectivity at either end. The eastern end leaves you by the
Heathcote, just under the expressway bridge, for a 100m detour to the Opawa Rd
bridge – not so bad – but the western end takes you to the Brougham / Ensors
intersection to use the pedestrian signals (i.e. legally you have to walk
across), and then ride along a narrow, usually glass-strewn “shared path” – or
make dodgy turns into Ensors Rd as you suggest.
Transit NZ (as of 1 August it has been merged with LTNZ and renamed NZ
Transport Authority) has been working to improve Brougham St (SH 73) for
cyclists over the last couple of years. Some markings have been painted in at
some of the intersections and there should be decent lanes along this road
fairly soon. Although it’s a hellishly busy road, the decent width of the lanes
should make it a pretty useful connection – lots of people ride it already. And
during rush hours, the traffic hardly moves, which makes it safer for cyclists
;-)
But as for the expressway, I don’t know what they’ve decided to do there… maybe
they have gone for on-road lanes because connecting the pathway was too
difficult? I will make some enquiries. You are right that it has previously
been No Cycling – I guess because people are expected to ride on the pathway,
which many would not choose to do because of the connectivity problems.
The “little paint spots” are usually just guide markings and tend to be made
further out than the lane ends up getting painted, so wouldn’t judge it by
these at this stage.
I’ll see if I can shed more light on this…
If you (or anyone else wants to talk to the Transit (now NZTA) “cycling
champion”, he is our first point of contact about cycling matters about the
state highway network: Tony Spowart, phone: (03)366-4455 email:
<email obscured> If you’ve talked to him already and got no joy I
don’t know who else to suggest.
Last thing – you mention other bridges around the country. The Old Waimak
bridge is included in the funding announced in May
(http://www.crc.govt.nz/About+Us/DisplayMediaRelease.htm?id=1070&PrintVersion=true)
to get cycling and walking facilities.
Has anyone ever ridden over the Rakaia bridge? I did it with a group of 20
other Green party members before the 2002 election, to highlight the fact that
NZ is killing a potentially profitable cycle-touring market by ignoring
facilities like this. See : http://www.can.org.nz/ecan/ecan43.htm
We took about 5 minutes to cross it, and everyone else just had to wait for us…
Believe me, surrounded by 20 other cyclists is the ONLY way I’d feel safe
riding a piece of road like that!
From:
Tim Kerr
Date:
Aug 05 21:49 UTC
Short link
Thank you for your comments Paul. Yes... I have cycled the Rakaia bridge a
few times. Solo. No... not much fun....
I have motored over it recently too! I was crossing in a truck and I
discovered the faster I went the greater the road noise. I got the truck up
to 90-plus and the noise was close to a crescendo.. so, because I wasn't
towing a trailer I took it up to 100 and the noise sounded close to
take-off... so I pumped it a bit harder....but taking cognisanse of the fact
that it wasn't my truck... and it was my life... and I'm not a great fan of
orbital levitation...I cut back a bit. Fascinating. There are some things
you miss in life on a bicycle...
Pleased to hear about changes to the Waimakariri bridge - except I always
cite it as an example of "allowing cyclists" when some other access is
banned to them.. pity that is to go...
Cheers,
Tim Kerr
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul de Spa" <p.despa@paradise.net.nz>
To: "Canterbury Public Issues Forum"
<canterburyissues@forums.e-democracy.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 10:24 PM
Subject: Re: [Canterbury Issues] Paul De Spa - cycling issues
> Hi Tim
> I’m not sure what is happening along the Opawa expressway, it’s been a
> while since I rode over there, although when I lived in Woolston I biked
> in that area most days.
>
> Of course, there is a wonderful off-road path running parallel to the
> expressway – pleasant, meandering through trees – but next to useless
> because there is no connectivity at either end. The eastern end leaves you
> by the Heathcote, just under the expressway bridge, for a 100m detour to
> the Opawa Rd bridge – not so bad – but the western end takes you to the
> Brougham / Ensors intersection to use the pedestrian signals (i.e. legally
> you have to walk across), and then ride along a narrow, usually
> glass-strewn “shared path” – or make dodgy turns into Ensors Rd as you
> suggest.
>
> Transit NZ (as of 1 August it has been merged with LTNZ and renamed NZ
> Transport Authority) has been working to improve Brougham St (SH 73) for
> cyclists over the last couple of years. Some markings have been painted in
> at some of the intersections and there should be decent lanes along this
> road fairly soon. Although it’s a hellishly busy road, the decent width of
> the lanes should make it a pretty useful connection – lots of people ride
> it already. And during rush hours, the traffic hardly moves, which makes
> it safer for cyclists ;-)
>
> But as for the expressway, I don’t know what they’ve decided to do there…
> maybe they have gone for on-road lanes because connecting the pathway was
> too difficult? I will make some enquiries. You are right that it has
> previously been No Cycling – I guess because people are expected to ride
> on the pathway, which many would not choose to do because of the
> connectivity problems.
>
> The “little paint spots” are usually just guide markings and tend to be
> made further out than the lane ends up getting painted, so wouldn’t judge
> it by these at this stage.
> I’ll see if I can shed more light on this…
> If you (or anyone else wants to talk to the Transit (now NZTA) “cycling
> champion”, he is our first point of contact about cycling matters about
> the state highway network: Tony Spowart, phone: (03)366-4455 email:
> <email obscured> If you’ve talked to him already and got no
> joy I don’t know who else to suggest.
>
> Last thing – you mention other bridges around the country. The Old Waimak
> bridge is included in the funding announced in May
>
(http://www.crc.govt.nz/About+Us/DisplayMediaRelease.htm?id=1070&PrintVersion=true)
> to get cycling and walking facilities.
> Has anyone ever ridden over the Rakaia bridge? I did it with a group of 20
> other Green party members before the 2002 election, to highlight the fact
> that NZ is killing a potentially profitable cycle-touring market by
> ignoring facilities like this. See : http://www.can.org.nz/ecan/ecan43.htm
> We took about 5 minutes to cross it, and everyone else just had to wait
> for us… Believe me, surrounded by 20 other cyclists is the ONLY way I’d
> feel safe riding a piece of road like that!
>
>
> Paul de Spa
>
> Info about Paul de Spa: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/pauldespa
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/7fjtItHGZwG5amqH9X69dW
> -----------------------------------------
> To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
> in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
>
> More info about Canterbury Public Issues Forum:
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>
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> -----------------------------------------
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3:51 PM
From:
brenda dew
Date:
Aug 11 07:31 UTC
Short link
I prefer to travel parallel with Brougham by detouring along Opawa
,Shakespeare, Wordsworth, to reach the CBD.
I also have noticed that other vehicles are kinder at intersections since I
started wearing a bright green high visibility jacket.
From:
Tim Kerr
Date:
Aug 11 08:47 UTC
Short link
That's fine Brenda - if you want to get to the CBD, but I want to cycle to
Barrington .....
I suspect your feelings that motorists are kinder to you at intersections
now you have a Hi-vis vest is more your feelings than actuality. I never
wear such things - and generally I don't have a problem at intersections...
And I must add, my objection to the Opawa extension being closed to cyclists
has more to do with the fact the road was designed and built with no
consideration for cyclists whatsoever - on the assumption that most cyclists
can figure out how to use a purpose-built, off-road cycleway that somehow
stops at the river.... And from years of niggling at transit to be
fobbed-off by minions who have utterly no idea of cyclists requirements and
a lot of ideas on how to conduct official obfuscation! (For the extension
has always been quite safe for cyclists - apart from the bits each end...)
If you understand what I mean....
Cheers Brenda,
Tim.
----- Original Message -----
From: "brenda dew" <brenda_dew@hotmail.com>
To: "Canterbury Public Issues Forum"
<canterburyissues@forums.e-democracy.org>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 7:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Canterbury Issues] Paul De Spa - cycling issues
>I prefer to travel parallel with Brougham by detouring along Opawa
>,Shakespeare, Wordsworth, to reach the CBD.
> I also have noticed that other vehicles are kinder at intersections since
> I started wearing a bright green high visibility jacket.
>
>
> brenda dew
>
> Info about brenda dew: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/brendadew
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/37ERmilyjGoH9b113V7tft
> -----------------------------------------
> To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
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>
> More info about Canterbury Public Issues Forum:
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>
> E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules
> -----------------------------------------
> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net
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From:
brenda dew
Date:
Aug 14 18:33 UTC
Short link
Yes Tim I agree with you , re that stretch of road,and along that cycleway that
could be missed if you were not local and then the glass strewn stretch of
Brougham St and the cycleway along the path does not stretch to Colombo St. so
I was told off for riding on the footpath, thus my new route.
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