Cycle bays waste of money, say road users

Puketitiri Rd users have criticised a move by the Napier City Council to install cycle bays, claiming it will be a "waste of resources".
A submission by Andrew Short, of Logan Property Group, to Napier's 10-year plan requested council "specifically identify funds and timings" for the "long overdue upgrade" of the 3.4km stretch of Puketitiri Rd between Rotowhenua Rd and Fryer Rd.
His submission was supported by 55 households, many of whom were recreational users of the road.
The council made a resolution earlier this year to install cycle bays in specific locations along the hill section of the road over the next 2-3 years, at an estimated cost of $300,000.
It also agreed any further development in the area could place additional traffic pressure on the section of road. That could require a significant upgrade and developers would have to pay a share of the costs.
But in a letter to Mayor Barbara Arnott, Mr Short said he was "disappointed with the outcome".

"Small ad hoc upgrades or improvements are a waste of resources as they will not properly address the situation," he said.

"As my submission pointed out the road is already below standard for its use and I would have thought that this would be the trigger rather than any future residential development."

The council report said the stretch of road was constructed to old "county council standards" and Mr Short argued in his submission it was dangerous for users.
"Both cyclists and car drivers relay stories of near misses on this part of the road with the lack of carriageway width a constant concern," he said.
The council report stated there had been two injury crashes and three non-injury crashes over the past five years, none of which involved cyclists or pedestrians.
About 850 vehicles a day use Puketitiri Rd with peak cycle use on weekends.