Warning signs first, but cycleway on reclaimed land seen as end goal
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Hutt News
Cycle activated electronic warning signs are being considered for narrow sections of State Highway Two between Ngauranga and Petone.
Transit New Zealand regional manager Graham Taylor says the variable messages warning drivers there are cyclists ahead are activated when cyclists ride over loops on the side of the road.
Calls from cyclists and environmentalists for better safety for those on two wheels have intensified since the recent death of cyclists at Petone roundabout and Fergusson Drive Upper Hutt.
At a meeting earlier this month involving representatives of Cycle Aware Wellington (CAW), Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Hutt City Council, ideas for reclamation of land between Korokoro Gateway and Ngauranga to create a wide, dedicated cycleway between the railway lines and harbour got another airing.
But Mr Taylor says "crude" estimates for such work put the cost at $10m-$15 million to reclaim enough land between Petone and Horokiwi (the start of the existing, relatively narrow cycleway) and as much as $40 million to do the whole length up to Ngauranga.
Mr Taylor told the Hutt News yesterday that Transit is soon to advertise for consultants to carry out thorough investigation of all future transport options in the 'Ngauranga Triangle' (Ngauranga/Tawa/Grenada/Petone/Ngauranga). That will include costing and investigating the practicability of reclaiming land and constructing a cycleway on the inland or seaward side of the railway tracks. That issue is allied with the call made in the 2006 Hutt Corridor Study for a dedicated HoT (high occupancy vehicle) lane for Petone-Ngauranga.
He was unable to say how long the study would take. "It depends on how many issues come up as we try to solve the problems."
But while that work goes on, he says there are shorter term measures that can be done to improve cyclists' safety. If the technology proves suitable, cycle-activated electronic warning signs in "pinch" places such as southbound under the Petone overbridge, and northbound where the road shoulder narrows past Horokiwi, could be in place within months.
Permanent warning signs to remind motorists to be aware of vulnerable cyclists will also form part of the strategy, but the risk is if they're always there are never change, they become environmental "wallpaper". Another suggestions is to paint green strips at the entry and exit points to the BP station on SH2 to remind turning motorists to keep an eye out for two-wheelers.
CAW secretary Alistair Smith applauds these measures but argues that long term, reclamation and a dedicated cycle lane is the way to go.
While "obviously expensive", reclaiming land has numerous potential spin-offs, including: encourage a rapid increase in the estimated 300-plus cyclists who 'commute' between Wellington and the Hutt each week; reduce the number of times the trains have to stop running because storms wash harbour water onto the tracks; and plug the most obvious hole in the much-vaunted, tourism and exercise-friendly 'Great Harbour Way' - a dedicated route for cyclists and walkers right around Wellington Harbour.
"It is ridiculous that we can't cycle and walk (safely) between the two biggest centres in the region.
"In places like Denmark and Sweden, which have similar population densities, putting in such a cycleway would be a no-brainer," Mr Smith says.
It could be a "magnificent" tourism asset, in the same way as Otago's popular Rail Trail.
And for those who blanch at talk of a $10m-$40m cost, Mr Smith's retort is to consider the cost of Transmission Gully in comparison.
GWRC councillors at a committee meeting last week were heartened that OnTrack are not totally adverse to the idea of cyclists crossing the railway tracks (with a suitable gate arrangement) where the current cycleway ends. That could link up with any new track on reclaimed land between Horokiwi and Petone.
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Can't happen soon enough!
I've never been brave enough to ride along SH2 but would definitely use a safe harbour side track.
Complaints about the cost also need to consider that this is one-off and the ongoing maintenance will be tiny compared to that of keeping a road nice and smooth. There won't be any heavy trucks on our cycle lane! There will need to be a plan to sweep the track, especially after big waves.
I can see a future where people ride, walk and run along, while fishermen cast off from the rocks below...
As the southerly storms this week have shown having a cycle/pedestrian way on the seaward side of the railway/road corridor is lunacy.
Probably the existing location is the best but move the railway out to sea to make a purpose built cycle/pedestrian way. This would give some protection to cyclists and pedestrians from southerlies.
We may have to tag it financially onto another two lanes of roadway.
Great foresight. Be sure to do it once and do it right the first time, even though this option may cost more than other alternatives. I would like to see the track constructed to be wide enough to accommodate cyclists travelling in both directions as well as some separation for those running and walking/sightseeing.
It is by far the best option to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe and as far away as possible from vehicular traffic and the pollutants, debris thrown from or left behind.
This would also be an excellent opportunity for Kiwi Rail/Ontrack to straighten the railway tracks between Petone & Wellington. This would improve travel times for rail commuters and require less track maintenance as at present.
The ultimate option would be to eventually link this into cycle lanes from along Petone foreshore and right the way around the harbour to Evans Bay and beyond to Wellingtons south coast. With also cycle & walkways established from Upper Hutt to Petone along the river banks. And Eastbourne to Petone along the seaward side.
How nice it would be on a summer's day for recreation cycling, running, walking this route. A plus for tourism and green initiatives from an absolutely positively Wellington region.
Mention of a high occupancy vehicle lane Petone-Ngauranga should be permitted for Motor cycles, Buses, Taxis and emergency vehicles.
Let's hope this all gets the go ahead.
Let's look at the Great Harbour Way and plan for its implementation sooner than later. It's for walkers and runners. not only cyclists!
A wide scenic route from Wellington to Hutt would be terrific for recreation and commuting.
It's shameful that tourists coming off the ferry from South Island can't cycle or walk along our magnificent harbour in either direction.
Wellington has a lovely waterfront and Petone's foreshore is attractive but there is an ABYSS between.
Family groups could walk or cycle at the weekend and it would be great for runners and cyclists who commute between Wellington and the Hutt Valley but hate being squeezed by trucks along SH2.
Increasing the number of runners and cyclists who commute is a brilliant way to increase people's daily activity. Lack of physical activity is a key cause of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.*
The lack of facilities along SH2 must embarrass Transit and shows up the lack of spending on active modes compared to facilities for trucks and cars. The high fuel prices are here to stay and local Councils and Transit have a duty to enable people choosing healthier, cheaper modes to have a better chance of surviving.
I've walked and cycled the existing pathetic route and would never recommend it to locals or visitors. Given the horror of cycling along SH2 now, either on the sub-standard cycleway or the shoulder, it's illogical to use the current numbers as a reason not to do something. Of course there are few cyclists and runners compared to drivers at the moment. Even with higher fuel prices, people don't totally trade off their safety.
The Great Harbour Way would be a wide dual use path that could safely be shared by walkers and cyclists. Fast confident cyclists should have a good facility on the road itself.
I'm sure that the Great Harbour Way will be brought up in August's consultation on Wellington City Council's Walking and Cycling Plans.
The path's construction could also protect the rail corridor from possible coastal erosion.
The Great Harbour Way is a brilliant opportunity to combine public health, recreation, tourism, and affordable eco-friendly transport in one exciting package
The existing bike track alongside the road from Petone to Wellington is mostly unrideable due to the amount of broken glass. After having several punctures I no longer use it and like many cyclysts choose to ride on the shoulder of the main road It is a risk that I do not like to take but am forced to because of the mindless idiots who enjoy throwing out bottles on to the path. If the path was on the other side of the train track this would not happen and make the path much more rider friendly
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I am keen too for this to happen sooner rather than later, but as a walker not cyclist. Don't forget us in the planning. The path needs to be able to cope with walkers, runners and cyclists. It will be a brilliant addition to Wellington/Hutt Valley.