Reversing travel habits goal of mode shift plan

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Consultation is now open on the Tairāwhiti Moves Mode Shift Plan, a 30-year plan to change travel habits and make cycling and public transport more appealing by creating active travel corridors.

Establishing those corridors may include the removal of some on-street parking spaces and the inclusion of more modern pedestrian crossings.

Under the plan the council won’t prioritise private vehicle travel time over active travel infrastructure (for example, bus stops).

“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 and Childers Road.

“Council will need to advocate Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) to instal crossings on Awapuni and Customhouse and Wainui roads.”

The plan is part of GDC’s Active Travel Strategy.

“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,” a GDC spokeswoman said.

There was “no proposal” about removing roundabouts or reinstating traffic lights.

As well as the draft Mode Shift Plan and Active Travel Strategy, GDC is also reviewing the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) along with the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP).

Submissions can be made at participate.gdc.govt.nz/