“Getting more people moving in the same road space means removing parking to allow another lane for movement.
“In many locations in Tairāwhiti, such as Ormond Road, there is ample space for a separated cycleway if some on-street parking is removed,” the report says.
Policy principle two includes “design to reflect Māori heritage and support tangata whenua to be visible in their land”.
“It is important that all council strategies are developed in partnership with mana whenua.
“From the most basic elements like ensuring equality when developing the key corridors to providing quality way finding and regional narratives, council’s active travel network must reflect the people of this region, where they live, where they’re going and the stories they want to tell about their home.”
The third policy principle is to provide “inclusive access and universal design”.
“Everyone in Tairāwhiti, regardless of age or ability, should be able to safely travel in the manner they choose.
“Children, the ageing population, wheelchair users, those with permanent or temporary impairments, mobility scooters, parents with prams and any other user groups should be able to travel to their nearby destinations safely and easily without needing a car.”
The fourth policy principle acknowledges that “partnership designing, funding and building this network will require a whole community response to enhance active travel infrastructure, promote behaviour change and achieve the city’s active travel goals”.
The report and draft plan also features seven key “corridors” for active travel.
Establishing those corridors will include the removal of parking spaces, the inclusion of more modern pedestrian crossings and will increase motorists’ travel times.
“Gisborne almost exclusively uses roundabouts for intersection traffic control,” the plan states.
“Roundabouts can be good for traffic flow and usually have lower costs (initial capital and ongoing operation) than signalised intersections.
“However, they are challenging for pedestrians and active road users such as bikes or scooters and often prohibitive for those who are differently abled such as wheelchair users. Anecdotally, Gisborne saw a decline in cycle traffic through the mid-1990s as traffic lights were phased out and roundabouts installed at key points such as the Gladstone Road/Roebuck Road roundabout.
“Modern pedestrian crossings, with narrowed approaches, raised platforms, median refuges plus lighting and signage are safer, and importantly feel safer for the people using them.
“As part of implementing changes along key corridors, there will likely need to be an increase of formalised crossing points on major roads such as Ormond Road, Rutene Road, Lytton Road, Childers Road. Council will need to advocate Waka Kotahi to install crossings on Awapuni and Customhouse and Wainui Roads.
“The end goal of mode shift is to reverse our travel habits so, rather than defaulting to the private car for all trips, we choose active transport first, public transport if the conditions require and leave the car at home for when we really need it.”
To achieve its aims, the draft plan suggested changes to parking management such as “demand-responsive pricing” to encourage a shift to active and shared transport options.
Bus stop access needed to be significantly improved to provide all members of society — especially elderly and disabled people — with safe and convenient public transport that provided access to work, recreation and services, while “mobility hubs” would provide an extensive menu of potential facilities, such as public transport and e- scooters or e-bikes.
The plan also states Travel Demand Management (TDM) efforts would encompass various strategies designed to encourage individuals to shift their transportation choices. Those include:
• Facilitating travel planning within workplaces, schools and communities.
• Conducting education, publicity and marketing campaigns to promote alternatives to private car usage.
• Regulating car parking supply and pricing.
“Tairāwhiti Moves prioritises active and shared mode alternatives to using the car for all our journeys. The success of this plan hinges on collective commitment from everyone in our region, ongoing collaboration, and a shared vision for a future where people are using active and shared modes of transport more regularly than they are today.”
The Draft Mode Shift plan and the Draft Active Travel Strategy have no direct financial implications for the council, the report said.
“Should the documents be adopted, council will need to consider budget allocation through future long-term planning processes and the Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2034.”
The report, prepared by GDC senior policy adviser Chris Gilmore, said the plan was in line with GDC’s spatial plan, Tairāwhiti 2050, which sets a vision for Tairāwhiti to be the cycling capital of New Zealand with 40 percent of adults and 80 percent of school students using active travel to get to school and work.
“The plan and strategy provide a pathway for the next 10 years to work towards the 2050 vision.”
If councillors agree with staff recommendations, the plan would go to consultation this month, before a public hearing for submissions in April. The final plan and strategy would then be adopted in June.
