KEY POINTS:
When cycling from Devonport to Takapuna the cycle lane directs you onto the footpath at Onepoto Rd. The road is two lanes from there to the Esmonde Rd intersection and is busy for most of the day. Is it the intention of the authorities that we cycle on the footpath, or are we supposed to dismount and walk from there? Also, when is the Lake Rd/Esmonde Rd intersection shambles supposed to be finished? Chris Dentith, Devonport.
Kit O'Halloran, North Shore City Council's transport corridor specialist, says that where you are directed onto the footpath, it continues as a shared pedestrian/cycle path as far as Jutland Rd, where a 'Cycle Lane Ends' sign is in place. This will continue until the widening work on Lake Rd, between Esmonde and Onepoto, is completed, within the next three years.
Devonport's Lake Rd corridor is now reduced in width to accommodate cycle lanes. Yet, the footpaths, where possible, are divided and marked for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists. Why should the small number of cyclists have the use of both pavement and road? John Hipkins, Devonport.
Mr O'Halloran explains that the off-road cycle lanes are mainly used by intermediate and secondary school pupils. It's a safety measure, because children cycle relatively slowly, and are not always experienced enough to cope with traffic demands.
On the other hand, commuter and recreational cyclists will in general only use the bikes if they can get up to reasonable speeds and trip times. They can't do this in shared pedestrian/cycle lanes, where they have to stop at crossings and for pedestrians.
The North Shore's strategic cycle plan sets out to increase the number of people cycling to work and school by increasing their safety, convenience and enjoyment.
And Mr O'Halloran says that there has always been only one lane in each direction in Lake Rd, with the exception of the Winscombe Rd intersection, where there was two-lane stacking at the traffic lights.
The second through lane was also a right-turn lane, which often held up through traffic.
Are buses allowed to let passengers on and off the bus when they are stationary in traffic, i.e. not at a bus stop? I have narrowly missed several passengers lately, and can see a serious injury happening. Matt Hancock, Auckland.
The document Transportation Auckland Corporation Limited Standard Terms and Conditions of Carriage states: "No customer shall leave or attempt to leave a vehicle while it is moving or waiting at any road intersection or traffic signal or at any place other than an authorised bus stop." That'll be a no, then.
