KEY POINTS:
There are cycle route signs for a 50km route (I think) around Auckland. The signs are on power poles in Cremorne and Stack Sts in Herne Bay. Do you know where the full cycle route goes? Where can I get a printed map of the route, or is there a website where it can be downloaded?
Graham O'Dea, Te Atatu Peninsula.
The cycle routes around Auckland are the result of collaboration between the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (Arta) and the local councils. The Central-Southern cycle map is the first in the series, and can be ordered from Arta on www.maxx.co.nz/cycling-walking/cycling.html. The postal address is on the website.
Unfortunately, the pdf version is too large to download, so getting a printed version is the best bet.
The Central-Northwest and Central-Southeast maps can be downloaded because they are smaller (same website) or printed versions can be ordered.
The maps point out locations of cycle lockers, bike shops, public toilets, gradients, one-way streets and landmarks - all useful stuff.
Most councils' websites also present cycle routes for their areas. There are several cycleways still under construction, and maps willbe added as and when they are completed.
At the intersection of Esmonde Rd with Fred Thomas Drive, two lanes of citybound traffic turn right from Fred Thomas into Esmonde. Because of the bus lane and the absence of warning signs and adequate lane markings, the occasional driver unwittingly veers into the usually empty bus lane believing it to be the correct path to take. Once on Esmonde their folly is immediately apparent and they return to the correct lane.
It's only a matter of time before a fully laden bus in the bus lane, careering through the intersection at full speed, meets one of these errant vehicles. Can something be done to alert drivers to this significant hazard and avert a tragedy?
Robin Hill, North Shore.
North Shore City Council staff do not believe there is an issue here, and let's hope they're right, because buses are stopped when cars are turning across the intersection. The carshave a green light but the buses have a red light and are held back at the Barrys Pt Rd intersection. But the council will take a look at the lane markings.
Why, when turning right from Shakespeare Rd into Taharoto, does the light phase allow only two or three vehicles through, but the green straight-ahead phase into the bus station is on for a lot longer.
From observation, in off-peak times cars are going into the bus station, doing a u-turn and making it back to Taharoto while the green phase is still operational.
Could the phasing not be changed to suit traffic flows? And it's not much better attempting a similar turn out of Forrest Hill Rd into Taharoto/Wairau Rd.
David Tillett, North Shore.
The council staff thank you for bringing this to their attention, and they have now changed the phasing for off-peak. There are other factors at this intersection which affect traffic flow,however, such as whether busesare running late, and pedestrian phases.
