A pole has been positioned across a shared bike and pedestrian path on The Strand in Parnell, Auckland. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
A pole has been positioned across a shared bike and pedestrian path on The Strand in Parnell, Auckland. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
A transport agency is standing by its decision to erect a pedestrian crossing pole in the middle of a new Auckland bike path – a move cyclists are calling “bizarre”.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has led a project on The Strand in Parnell, which included constructing a shared-usepath to provide access for pedestrians and cyclists.
However, a crossing pole has been placed in the middle of this path, creating confusion and frustration among cyclists.
“It seems very bizarre to me that somebody’s working on roading and construction and can’t seem to see putting a sign in the middle of a path is a silly idea,” said Bike Auckland chairwoman Karen Hormann.
“We often feel that we’re second-class citizens and all we’re asking is for our fair share of the transport budget to be spent on us.
“We’re already cycling, there seems to be a lot of debate about it, but there are plenty of people cycling. I see them all the time and if they’re spending our budget on the things that we need to cycle safely, then spend it properly.”
Hormann described the situation as “disheartening” and “frustrating”, but believed more people would start to use cycle lanes if they were built safely without poles in the way.
The placement of the pole has been described as "bizarre", "disheartening" and "frustrating". Photo / Annaleise Shortland
An NZTA spokesperson said the pole was delivered as part of the Strand Optimisation Project in partnership with Auckland Transport and explained why it is in its position.
“The pedestrian crossing poles are offset 500mm from the kerb in accordance with Auckland Transport specifications and design drawings,” the spokesperson said.
NZTA say the pole has been erected in accordance with Auckland Transport specifications and design drawings. Photo / Annaleise Shortland
They said there was plenty of room around the poles for cyclists and pedestrians on the shared path, but NZTA’s safety team would carry out a safety audit in the new year to ensure the design was functional and safe for all users.
Auckland Transport said it would not be commenting because this was part of the State Highway 16-The Strand shared use path project that NZTA was leading.
This incident comes weeks after a safety sign was placed in the middle of a new shared-use path in Hobsonville, West Auckland, with Bike Auckland telling the Herald that Auckland Transport admitted the positioning was far from ideal and the contractor put it in the wrong spot.
