Ask Phoebe: Motorbikes should keep off cyclepaths

Cyclists should not have to worry about motorised vehicles on their pathways. Photo / Dean Purcell

I often see motorbikes using the cycleway beside the Northwestern Motorway. These are not the little 50cc scooters, but the grown-up jobs. Are they allowed to ride there? Dean Binning, West Harbour.

Motorcycles, 50cc scooters and mopeds are classified as motorised vehicles, and most definitely are not allowed on cycleways. They should be on the motorway, as long as they can keep up with the speed of the traffic.

Are there any plans for a pedestrian crossing or pedestrian lights near 80 Lunn Ave in Mt Wellington? The neighbourhood has changed dramatically over the last couple of years. Traffic volume has increased around the Stonefields area, and new shops on both sides of the road have increased pedestrian traffic. Crossing the road is a really scary business.

And congratulations and thanks to the council for finishing the work on the drainage system and road in Abbotts Way. This was a huge and difficult job. Kathryn Smits, Remuera.

The most recent information I have is that things in this area are not going to get any better until the Stonefields development is finished.

I would try to give you an update on the Lunn Ave situation, but it appears the Auckland City Council communications people don't have time to answer my questions.

Can you please give us an updated indication of when we can expect lights to be installed at the Mahia Rd/Coxhead Rd intersection in Manurewa? This is a major airport access from the south, and lights were promised seven or eight years ago. Anne White, Wattle Cove.

The helpful folk at Manukau City Council say a full intersection upgrade is still a couple of years away, because some properties are yet to be bought. In the meantime, the council plans to put lights in on the Mahia approaches during the next financial year. This should create gaps for the traffic trying to get out of Coxhead Rd.

The widening of the Northern Motorway between Northcote and Wairau has made a a great improvement to traffic flows, but it has moved the bottleneck further north. There seems almost enough room to add an extra lane from Constellation Drive to Greville Rd - is there a plan to do this? Rory Kernahan, Puhoi.

There are no proposals to widen this stretch of motorway in the NZ Transport Agency 10-year state highway plan and forecast. In association with the North Shore City Council, the agency is reviewing the needs of this area.