Update: The consultation on the Karangahape Rd enhancement project is now closed. More than 1680 people provided feedback – mighty effort, folks! We’ll keep you updated about developments.
By way of a refresher, here’s our earlier blog post on the details. This is already a popular route, with an average of 500 riders a day and hooked in to the growing network of proper bike lanes – and we picture it being even more popular with these great improvements!
Now is the time to get it over the line, and stiffen some spines (because like any transformative project it will have its detractors) and celebrate what will be a real step-change for this wonderful street.
Here’s the link for feedback.
For each section, you can say what you like – and what you’d change. (You can also submit your thoughts in a separate document if you prefer).
Here’s the short version of our thoughts. Essentially, a wholehearted ‘yay’ and ‘yes’ and ‘also’!
Section 1 – Ponsonby Rd to Pitt St
- Yes to protected bike lanes, separate from pedestrians and cars! Very glad to see improvements for pedestrians here too – more footpath space free for walking, and sitting.
- What we’d change: Not much. 1.8m wide bike lanes will do for now, but we expect these will need widening in a few years, once the network effect kicks in.
Section 1A – Karangahape Rd Bridge
- Yes to the bike lane bypasses behind the bus shelters (although they are a bit narrower here). We think the current proposal is a good balance between the needs of buses, bikes and pedestrians.
- What we’d change: Again, not much. Whimsically, we feel the cycle lanes should be pink through this section, as seen in some earlier renderings – with Lightpath crossing underneath, a short burst of pink here would do the project proud.
Section 2 – Pitt St to Queen St
- Yes to using planter boxes. This is the best of both worlds: a proper bikeway, but also a set-up that can easily be shifted around for a large street party, or widened bike lanes as needed
- What we would change: If there was a way to retain the lovely old trees at St Kevin’s Arcade, maybe using some smart diversions of the cycle lane around the trees?
Section 3 – Queen St to Symonds St
- Yes to the ‘Copenhagen’ style (raised) cycle lanes here – vertically separated from traffic (albeit sans the landscaped buffer zone or other physical protections).
- What we’d change: The Copenhagen lanes may need to be a bit higher than they usually are in Europe to discourage illegal parking here.
Section 4 – Upper Queen St
- Yes and THANK YOU to the proposed protected cycle lanes on both sides of the street!
Anything you’d add or suggest? Let us know in the comments below.
Here’s the link for feedback – go for it! Closes Sunday evening, 20 November.
