Paths full, say cyclists

Cycle Action Auckland says cycle numbers are too high for sharing paths with pedestrians and each deserve their own facilities. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Council told of pedestrian anger at surge in bike use of shared facilities.

Cyclists are starting to feel the heat from pedestrians rebelling against having to share paths with them, Auckland Council members were warned yesterday.

In delivering her warning, Cycle Action Auckland chairwoman Barbara Cuthbert reminded the council's infrastructure committee that pedestrians were "at the top of the hierarchy" of an active transport network.

"You may be hearing - we certainly are - that pedestrians across Auckland don't want more shared paths," Mrs Cuthbert said.

"Because now cycling numbers are getting up so high that those shared paths are not pleasant for pedestrians - pedestrians and cyclists deserve their own facilities."

But Mrs Cuthbert was glowing in her praise of a council staff report recommending a greater financial commitment to cycling while warning that only 40 per cent to 50 per cent of a 900km network of bikeways will be in place by 2020 on current funding.

That compares with about 30 per cent now in place - much of which her group says is disjointed and in poor condition - and an Auckland Plan target of 70 per cent by 2020.

Committee deputy chairman Chris Darby, a cyclist, said other comparative cities around the world but particularly on the Pacific Rim were well ahead of Auckland in developing bikeways which raised public transport patronage by widening the catchment of buses, trains and ferries.

"We have been failing Auckland miserably - cycling is a badge of a smart city and we really need to have that badge on our lapel."

His comments followed a presentation by Generation Zero youth organisation and TransportBlog representatives, who cited efforts by United States cities to attract young talent by providing safe cycling opportunities.

Niko Elsen of Generation Zero said his group did not really represent cyclists, but a large majority of young Aucklanders who had indicated in a survey that they would cycle if protected while doing so.

"It's about having an effective spend that is not just for a small cycling community but so all Aucklanders can feel safe enough to give cycling a go."

Mr Elsen said it would take 40 years to complete the bike network on current spending, which includes $10.3 million budgeted by Auckland Transport for new cycling and walking infrastructure from 2012 to 2015.

The committee voted to support "a significantly enhanced effort to improve cycling infrastructure in Auckland".