KEY POINTS:
Cycle lanes will start going in along Mt Albert in Auckland today, despite opposition from residents upset at losing some parking.
The cycle lanes will take eight weeks to complete and run from the intersection of Woodward and Mt Albert Rds to the intersection of Sandringham and Mt Albert Rds.
To retain as much on-street parking as possible along the route and accommodate the cycle lanes, design puts the cycle lane on the southern side of Mt Albert Rd out between the parking spaces and the roads, rather than against the kerb.
An earlier proposal involved removing all 174 spaces on that side of the road, but was redesigned in the face of strong opposition.
Many residents remain opposed to having to cross the busy road to reach cars parked without restriction on the other side, and were backed by a minority of councillors in claiming the proposal would be dangerous for cyclists as well as pedestrians.
The latest proposal came at the cost of 113 parking spaces.
Some 61 parking spaces will remain along the 2.5km route. Four new pedestrian islands will make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the busy road. The Mt Albert area had 39 cycle crashes in the five years up to 2005, including 13 crashes on Mt Albert Rd.
Project manager Marcus Pillay said experience showed more people cycled to work and school when new cycle lanes were introduced.
"The Mt Albert cycle lanes are an important connection in the citywide cycle network that will enable more people to make sustainable, safe travel choices," Mr Pillay said.
* ON YOUR BIKE
Cycle lane projects are under way or recently completed in Avondale, Mt Albert, Ellerslie, Onehunga, Panmure, Otahuhu, Newmarket, Parnell, Grafton and Newton.
Pt Chevalier, Sylvia Park, Remuera and Waiheke are also being assessed.
The Northwestern cycleway is an uninterrupted 9km route from Waterview to the central city. It uses cyclist traffic signals to cross St Lukes and Newton Rds.
Auckland City is placing advanced cycle boxes at selected intersections, including Khyber Pass Rd and Broadway so cyclists can wait ahead of traffic.
When completed, the Waikaraka cycleway will follow a 12km on and off-road route from Onehunga to Wesley.
