Cyclist fears Tauranga's 'horrendous' drivers

Tauranga nurse Kirsty Clegg says she is sick of the abuse she cops from drivers while she is cycling to work and the lack of inclusion from transport authorities. Photo / Andrew Warner

A Tauranga cyclist says the city is one of the worst places in the world she has cycled because of drivers' attitudes and authorities only thinking of cyclists "as an afterthought".

Kirsty Clegg is a nurse at Tauranga Hospital and bikes to work from Welcome Bay every day.

She said there were a lot of potential dangers ", but my number one problem is no one ever talks to the cyclists to ask what they need".

"We are just an afterthought every time. That's why we have these issues," Clegg said.

Clegg was critical of the newly developed Welcome Bay Rd cycleway, which cut across the free turn into Welcome Bay Lane.

Transport authorities have since confirmed the entrance to Welcome Bay Lane was dangerous for cyclists and it will now be temporarily closed while they try to find a solution.

Read more here.

"If you worked on a cycle lane and asked us, cyclists, 'is that a safe thing to do?' we would say 'no, it's ridiculous'," Clegg said.

"It's frustrating when you get told there's going to be a cycleway, but it's more dangerous than it was before."

Clegg said the attitude often displayed towards cyclists, following the road rules, was appalling.

"I've been a cyclist in cities all over the world, and sometimes, I think Tauranga is one of the worst places I've ever cycled in regards to behaviour and attitude towards cyclists," she said.

"It's a poor attitude. People are driving down bus lanes. There needs to be a cultural change. This is what I feel strongly about. I think we have a right to be safe on the roads."

Clegg said when she was cycling, she was helping ease congestion by taking one more car off the road "but I don't get respect on the road".

"Most drivers are horrendous."

Clegg said the hospital was always trying to get more people on bikes because it was healthy "but that's never going to happen unless we have a culture shift".

"At the moment, people just don't feel safe."

Tauranga City Council transport manager Martin Parkes said it was fair that, historically, cycling and walking facilities were seen as add-ons rather than essential parts of the transport network but "that's rapidly changing across all agencies".

"We want people to feel safe riding their bikes for transport, particularly to work and school," he said.

"Every consultation we do now begins with a focus on people's safety, particularly for those who ride and walk. The council is fully committed to providing high quality, attractive cycleways that feel safe for everyone."

Parkes said the council wanted to provide continuous and direct cycle routes that made riding a bike easy and convenient.

"The focus will be on upgrading priority cycleways that connect people to work and education opportunities."

Parkes said many people were interested in riding a bike but were concerned about safety.

"Council has these people in mind and will provide cycle facilities that will encourage those who are 'interested but concerned' to start riding a bike."