Get Moving: Council looking into footpaths

Q. Will there ever be a footpath on Seacliffe Rd on the motorway side? There is a walkbridge across the motorway but it ends on the road edge, on a blind corner, on a quite narrow piece of road. If pedestrians use the footpath on the opposite side of the road they still must cross this road on a blind corner.

- Debra Darling, Mt Roskill.

A: Onehunga is on the council's list of walking and cycling plans for next year. The likely outcome will be a co-ordinated scheme of paths, with school students one of the main user groups. Similar schemes are in place in Avondale and under way in Mt Albert.

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Q: I live in Kawakawa Bay and often see cycle races taking place between there and Ardmore. The cyclists sometimes ride up to four abreast. The bay is a popular fishing spot and there are large numbers of boats towed along our roads, which makes the situation more dangerous. What is the law regarding the number of cyclists permitted to ride abreast?

- Tiff Thorburn, Kawakawa Bay.

A: Traffic regulations allow up to two cyclists to ride abreast, except when they are passing another cyclist or vehicle, when they must pass in single file. Cyclists are required to keep to the left as far as possible, and to be careful and considerate.

The situation does not change if the cyclists are racing. Sergeant Spurdle of Counties-Manukau police says that the cyclists may only ride two abreast, and police regulations require the organisers of the race to have marshals out on the route to ensure that cyclists are safe and that motorists are aware that there is a race in progress.

Event organisers have a responsibility to inform cyclists of rules and regulations.

If, however, the road has been closed by either police or the local authority, it effectively becomes a private road and different rules apply.

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Q: On the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway from the Panmure end, there are two right-turning lanes into Lunn Ave. Great. The trouble is after about 50m the dotted yellow lines stop, and parked vehicles force the two lanes into one. Can't this be made a clearway, at least to Marua Rd, to give the two lanes more time to merge?

- John Free, St Heliers.

A: Auckland City says there is room to merge as it stands. If you make Lunn Ave a clearway to Marua Rd, you would force the two lanes of traffic to merge right by the Marua Rd intersection, which is not a smart move. So it's basically a safety issue.