Cyclists want focus on urban routes

Jeff Harrison says Auckland cyclists want major urban routes made safer for people on bikes. Photo / Greg Bowker

Cyclists say major urban routes around Auckland should be the focus for the council to improve its "dangerous and inadequate" cycling infrastructure.

A group of cyclists yesterday highlighted their frustrations with the city's cycling infrastructure by erecting a graveyard outside the Auckland Council building. The graveyard, complete with crosses draped with bike helmets to symbolise cyclists injured or killed on Auckland roads, came four months after two people were killed in separate cycling accidents in the city.

Spokesman for the group, Jeff Harrison, said Auckland Transport was guilty of choosing options that endangered cyclists.

He said cyclists wanted separated cycleways that have a physical barrier between the cyclists and motor vehicle traffic. The group also wants to see the installation of protected intersections.

"Major urban routes like Karangahape Rd and Queen St don't make up a lot of our streets but account for about 60 per cent of injuries and deaths to cyclists so those should be priorities," said Mr Harrison.

"A recent example would be Dominion Rd where they went through a consultation and early in the plans they had painted cycle lanes included in the plans which were later stripped out for budgetary reasons."

Mr Harrison said Mayor Len Brown's claims to want to make the city the world's most liveable could not be achieved without a sound and safe cycling infrastructure.

"The council have an opportunity to move on this issue by providing separated cycle lanes, installing protected intersections, and advocating for human centred traffic laws."

Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said more than $10 million was being spent annually for new cycling and walking infrastructure.

There were two cyclist-friendly intersections on Tamaki Drive currently being worked on.

Other works included Auckland's first separated cycle lane on Beach Rd and at The Strand where an intersection will be reshaped with new pedestrian crossings installed with stop boxes for cyclists. The organisation's moves to improve cycling infrastructure had seen a 64 per cent reduction in fatal and serious cycle injuries from 51 in 2011 to 18 in 2012.

A full active transport action plan is expected to be developed during the 2015 long-term plan process.

This year a Herald cycle safe series reported calls for the introduction of Copenhagen-style cycling lanes (on city roads, but physically separated from motor vehicles and pedestrians) and reduced speed limits in residential and shopping areas to make cycling safer.