Ask Phoebe: Bike signs a success

New cycle lane markings called sharrows. They are part of a new trial being undertaken by Auckland Transport. Photo / Supplied by Auckland Transport

Would you be able to tell me the meaning of a bicycle sign I have seen on Pt Chevalier Rd? Family members have seen it elsewhere in the city and none of us (most of us being motorists as well as cyclists) know what it means. It is the outline of a bicycle in white with two parallel arrows above it, painted on the road.
- Audrey van Ryn, Auckland.

These cycle lane markings are called sharrows. They were part of a trial undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) in 2014. The trial was in place at five Auckland locations: Elstree Ave and Taniwha St roundabout, Glen Innes; Hamana St, Seacliffe Ave and Winscombe St, Belmont; Pt Chevalier Rd, Pt Chevalier; Riddell Rd, Glendowie; and Riverside Ave and Dunkirk Rd, Pt England.

The distinctive stencil-style road markings have been used overseas to improve cyclist safety and promote better road-sharing. Sharrows are used to help reinforce the idea that the roadway is a valid place for cyclists to travel, particularly where the traffic lane is narrow and cycling close to the kerb or parked cars is inadvisable.

The trial has proved to be a success. The road markings are likely to be standardised by July and then rolled out at appropriate sites.

I've recently started working at the airport. I live in Manurewa.

It is faster for me to drive "backwards" through the Kirkbride Rd roadworks and get on the Southwest Motorway at Massey Rd than it is for me to drive a much more direct route, via Puhinui Rd. Even in the middle of the day, Puhinui Rd is a slow drive.

Please can you tell me if NZTA have any plans to widen this woefully inadequate road in the near future?
-Kirsty de Meyer, Manurewa.

The Transport Agency is aware of current and growing congestion problems along SH20B between the airport and SH20. In response, the agency is investigating short-term improvements at the Puhinui Interchange to ease congestion and improve travel through the interchange and on to the motorway.

Staff are also working in collaboration with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council, and Auckland Airport to identify the longer term transport response required to support the planned growth at the airport and surrounding area.

The cycleway that uses the old disused Nelson St offramp from the Southern Motorway is certainly a splash of colour. Why was that particular colour chosen?
-Bill Williamson, Sandringham.

The magenta colouring was inspired by the pink-red heartwood of a totara, apparently.

Tell us:

Do you have a question for Phoebe? It can be about any Auckland issue. Email askphoebe@nzherald.co.nz