Cyclists partnering with WDC to optimise infrastructure outcomes

Have been offline for some days due to computer problems. Loving seeing more and more people joining in. Feeling sorry that I will miss you all on Saturday. Support Paul's idea about Riverside Drive (the dual carriageway section I assume). Even before the new bridge was opened the dual carriageway seemed over the top. Would lend itself to a spectacular development with minimal impact on motor vehicle users.

Just a suggestion. Can we try to keep personal discussions brief and take them elsewhere, to keep the intended discussion on point. Chur. James.

Does anyone know if there is an official standard for the width of cycle paths? The ones I've seen elsewhere in the country seem to be 3m however biking the loop in the weekend the local ones seem to be closer to 2m. Okay I could be wrong but it seems to me we should be building to 3m because this allows a bike to pass 2 pedestrians walking side-by-side comfortably. If council finances don't allow a decent width perhaps a firm grass runoff along the side should be provided

Hi Luigi,
Mark Fuller has kindly uploaded the councils guidelines for walking and cycle tracks. Check it out on one of the other discussion called "community group working bees on cycle paths" https://www.loomio.org/d/Wr8qfG6S/community-group-working-bees-on-cycle-paths

Thanks James, I guess this answers the question.

Although while 2.5m might be okay on a dedicated cycle path for two cyclists to pass, the loop seems to be used equally by pedestrians and in this case 3m seems more suitable. Just saying

Cheers, L

I would totally agree Luigi. good to be discussing and feeding back to council, so maybe we can get the next ones wider.

I have the same concern and recall saying as much to Stu Bell about 4 mths ago. The paths are too narrow for mutimodal use and are likely to lead to conflict between modes unless council works really hard to educate on etiquette. I have a bell and use it all the time, well in advance of passing walkers and other walkers. I was initially encouraged to see what looked like gravel on the margins of the path between the little and big bridges but when I rode the path I saw the gravel was well below path level so no if I needed to leave the path to pass or give way. I note the path from Raumanga falls through Tarewa Park is also 2.5m sadly. It is vital that we advocate for maximum width for the remainder of the route wherever the terrain permits. Less popular routes could compromise on width I suggest but not popular promenading routes.

Well said Shane, I was beginning to think I was the lone ranger. Our cycle paths appear to be based on the Copenhagen design which caters to a fundamentally different demographic. Danish/Dutch cycleways are just that. They are almost exclusively used by cyclists which removes the potential for conflict that exists when a cyclist is impeded by walkers.

why are WDC even proposing a new path around beach road, a slow street environment would suffice and resources could be put into appropriate widths elsewhere

Hi Guys. I have a different view on this. I live in the area and Beach rd is a busy place on weekends with walkers, cyclists, boaties, families picnicking and sightseers all sharing the narrow road. Quite a dangerous mix actually if anyone goes too fast AND SOME DO!!! Controlling speed would be a good thing but I think a separate track will really add to area and add to the experience of cycling all the way from town all linked up on a separate carriageway.

I envisage also the track continuing all the way around Beach Road, eventually maybe all the way to Parua bay but I may be dreaming.

Mark