Ask Phoebe: New trains will offer far more space for cyclists

Electric trains are due to come into service in April. Photo / NZ Herald

Q: Are there any plans to introduce dedicated carriages for passengers with bikes to the Auckland rail network? At the moment it is a bit of a lottery whether there is room enough for bikes on peak services and it certainly discomforts other passengers.
- Lloyd Ilton, Auckland.

A: Not at this stage. However, the new electric trains, with three-carriage units, will have a dedicated space in the middle carriage for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bikes just beside the door. The new carriages have a good sized "entry/exit porch" and lowered floor, providing easy access.

Ties with press-release clips are provided to allow each bike to be quickly secured.

It will also be possible to park about six more bikes at the end of the carriage, where a section of seats are mounted parallel to the sides of the train. These extra seats will not be available for bikes in peak hours.

Some trains will travel in double configuration with six carriages, so doubling the number of bike spaces per train.

The electric trains are due to come into service in April. They will be delivered across 2014 and 2015 with all the electric trains in service by mid-2016. (Sources: Cycling Action Auckland, Auckland Transport)

Q: What's going on with the new bike shed on Birkenhead Wharf? It was constructed in the middle of last year, but now there seems to be some confusion about its location and future use. Can you help please?
- Kate Smith, Birkenhead.

A: This has become a vexed question. It is generally agreed that a bike shed is a good thing, but its location is the issue.

Residents and community groups claim that the bike cage's location at the end of the wharf blocks upper harbour views and compromises visibility from the wharf when sailing and water safety training are in progress.

Auckland Transport built the bike cage, which is close to the ferry terminal and within the designated area for transport operations.

To be able to use this bike parking facility (and others at train stations around the region) you need to register with AT and receive an access card. Currently the access card is free.

A decision on moving the bike cage at Birkenhead Wharf is yet to be made.

Q: Coming from Sunnynook Rd on to East Coast Rd on the North Shore, you come upon a roundabout. As with the other roundabouts up and down East Coast Rd, you expect to give way to the right and then have right of way yourself. But this roundabout comes to an abrupt halt three quarters of the way through and you suddenly have a short space to give way to traffic approaching from your left, who have their own lane. My question is why don't they just end the confusion and make it one complete roundabout? Or am I not understanding the purpose of this mixed-use intersection?
- Ruth Matthews, Milford.

A: I was confused by your question so I went for a look. It appears to me that this roundabout is complete, ie, you can continue around and around for as long as you wish. Traffic approaching from Sunnynook Rd faces a give-way sign, which must be acknowledged. Once cars are on the roundabout they have right of way over vehicles approaching from the north.

Or am I not understanding the purpose of your question?