Online maps show danger zones for cycle riders

Cyclists nervous about riding in Auckland traffic can consult new online maps to take extra care at high-frequency bike crash sites - or bypass them where possible.

The maps have been listed in a collaboration between Google and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, drawing on information from the Ministry of Transport's crash analysis system.

Other less daunting maps hosted by the authority's website - maxx.co.nz - list facilities such as cycle lockers, repair shops and "cycle-friendly" cafes.

But the authority says it included the crash maps to give cyclists fair warning of some of the region's more difficult sites.

Planning and strategy chief Peter Clark said the suite of maps depict useful information to help Aucklanders to plan effective cycle routes around the region.

"For example, if you're a relatively inexperienced cyclist you may wish to avoid a particularly busy junction, or you may want to plan to stop at a cafe with secure cycle parking facilities if you're on a leisure trip."

The maps include the latest 200 injury crashes between bikes and motor vehicles in each sector of the region to the end of 2009.

They have been posted as the Auckland Regional Transport Committee considers how to improve cyclists' perception of being safe in their travels, from a dismal 26 per cent of riders now to a target of 80 per cent by 2040.

Central Auckland's busier streets meant its latest 200 crashes have all occurred since early 2008 compared with Waitakere, which took six years to reach that unenviable quota, and East Auckland, which took 13 years.

There were no fatalities among Auckland City's crashes, although there was one in Penrose just before the analysis period, and cyclists were seriously injured in 26 collisions.

One of those put four in hospital after a car mowed into a bunch of recreational riders at the intersection of Tamaki Drive and Cliff Rd in September. Tamaki Drive accounted for 24 crashes, including six which caused serious injuries, and the city council has allocated $455,000 for improving safety along the busy scenic route such as by extending on-road cycle lanes and improving signage.

Other city hot spots include Broadway in Newmarket and Mt Wellington Highway, along both of which there were seven cycling injury accidents, three of them serious in each case.

There were eight crashes in Queen St, including two that were serious.

Five fatal crashes are included in the data, one each near Helensville, on Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Wiri, Takanini and on Great Barrier Island.

The most notorious stretch for North Shore cyclists is Wairau Rd in Glenfield, where there were 12 injury crashes, including four at its intersection with Ellice Rd - two of them serious. All four involved motorists turning right from Ellice Rd without giving way, prompting plans by North Shore City Council to install a stop sign subject to funding availability in the next financial year, as well as a raised central median and a green-surfaced cycle lane on Wairua Rd.

West Auckland's worst stretch is Triangle Rd, where three out of six bike crashes caused serious injuries but where Waitakere City has just awarded a $2.5 million contract for a 5km off- and on-road cycleway between Don Buck Rd and Henderson via Central Park Drive.

In East Auckland, cyclists have been involved in 44 injury crashes on Pakuranga Rd and neighbouring Bucklands Beach Rd since 1996, 12 of which were serious.

ON THE WEB www.maxx.co.nz/cycling-walking/cycling/google-maps.html