Police death gives push to cycle path

Wellington to Petone cycle track had good seal with few potholes in the 1940s and 50s. It was once a gem of the Harbour City. The track was at least 3 metres wide in its narrowest part in the Ngauranga - Petone section. People walked and jogged on the track with plenty of room for passing by groups of cycles. Cycle traffic was safe and even 9-10 year olds would cycle to Petone and back to Wellington. The track had safe entry and exit at both ends. Crossing the Hutt Road to go up Ngauranga was a little trickier as no traffic lights were present. As the motorway developed the cycle track was sacrificed to make wider lanes. Stupid decisions were made which then effectively made cycling dangerous and pedestrian traffic almost impossible. The remnants of the track has been allowed to deteriorate since. The local bodies involved have been irresponsible in allowing this situation to develop / deteriorate to the present state. Wellington and the Hutt have become cut off for all but those who travel in vehicles. Would you let a young person cycle or walk between the Hutt and Wellington now?

This has been a long time coming. It's just a pity it has taken the death of someone to spur the Council into ation. However, I'm not sure how painting a "green lane" is going to make the road any safer! Cyclists need to be segregated completely from the traffic on a section of a road which already an accident black spot for cars! Cyclists take their lives in their hands, especially when approaching the Petone turn-off.

Yes. The path is a disgrace. When we rode into parliament the other day from Petone, the only person I saw using it had to stop to mend a puncture. If it was swept daily by one of those little sweepers that they seem to have lots of in Melbourne then it might improve.

Yes. The path is a disgrace. When we rode into parliament the other day from Petone, the only person I saw using it had to stop to mend a puncture. If it was swept daily by one of those little sweepers that they seem to have lots of in Melbourne then it might improve.

It's clear that the people in charge of policy for Hutt City and Transit have no idea of the reality of cycling around the Wellington region. Does Mr King really believe that cyclists cross the road at Horokiwi or cycle against the traffic flow? Do Transit really think that extending the exisiting path to Petone will help? The reality is that most regular commuting cyclists don't use the exisiting bike path because it is woefully inadequate. Extending the current path to Petone will result in a path cyclists still won't use, because it will still be substandard. Cycling facilities around the Wellington region are poorly designed, poorly maintained, and not fit for purpose. They are littered with obstacles, glass, gravel, drain grates, potholes, and parked cars. The surfaces are shonky at best. A bit of paint on the side of a road or footpath is not good enough. I have absolutely no confidence in roading authorities making any worthwhile improvements. Their blinkered ignorance costs lives.

I agree; lets encouage alternative transportation options and make it safe for people, not endanger those people who opt to not use cars.

It a shame that another person (police officer) had to be killed for any action on making roads safer for cyclist. I bike a couple of time a week, mainly around bays and Lyall Bay. On average I would get abuse once per ride. And some come close to knocking me of my bike on average every second ride, half of these the driver on purpose.

I have had cars, Wellington City Buses, Movie Tour Bus and trucks trying to pass on blind corners and cutting me of when vehicles come the other way.

The city council seem to be doing away with bike lanes in high bike use areas, eg, Greta Point. Also the council are putting in more Traffic Island that mean bikes have to ride on the part of the road cars require, hence cars cannot get pass, eg, Island Bay, Lyall Bay, Greta Point.

I believe we need more bike lanes, that are swept of glass regularly, less Traffic Islands. Or more cyclist will be seriously injured or killed.