Debate in Northcote seems to be raging about the proposed walking and cycling improvements with most of the focus being about the removal of car parks on Queen St in Northcote. Interestingly I came across this blog post from November 2010 by a politician who lives in the area and who is encouraging locals to fight the proposal. Can you guess who wrote it?
Ride on cycle path leads to questions
It’s been a few years since I’ve been on a bike, but six weeks ago I decided to build cycling into my fitness routine as summer approaches. Nothing major, but I’ve been getting out on my old mountain bike around the North Shore roads every weekend.
The tragic spate of recent biking fatalities makes you think twice and has highlighted the narrow margin of safety for cyclists. You realize how vulnerable you are on a bike, and how reliant you are on the vigilance and concentration of other road users.
On the positive side, cycling as a mode of transport is not only environmentally friendly, but as a recreation it is an enjoyable way to get some exercise and free your mind from your daily concerns. Secondly, it gives you a detailed view of the nooks and crannies of an area that a car just doesn’t afford you. As an MP, it’s amazing the insights I get into my electorate from the bike saddle, not to mention the people I see along the way.
The extent of the cycle lane network across the Shore has come as a pleasant surprise. The pathways are not continuous, but it’s great that you can cycle to Takapuna and beyond from Northcote, traversing some very busy territory, (think Akoranga Drive up Esmonde Rd to Lake Rd).
However, I’ve been struck by how relatively few cyclists are on these cycle paths at the weekends. Cycling from Northcote Point to Takapuna beach I seldom see another bike. There weren’t a lot on the route to and from Devonport last weekend either.
The question for me is why aren’t more people cycling? In terms of recreation, is it a lack of awareness of the paths that are available? Is it perceived danger? Is it just not that popular? Some will beg to differ and say it’s different during commuter times- I’m just telling you what I’ve seen.Of course cycle lanes have been controversial (Lake Rd), and the motor vehicle continues to be crucial for Aucklanders. However, if we’re going to accommodate a predicted growth in Auckland’s population from 1.4 to nearly 2 million over the next 20 years transport is going to be even more of a serious challenge. Potentially part of the solution for dealing with Auckland’s transport woes could be encouragement of active transport- cycling and walking. However, there are issues associated with cycling and walking infrastructure that require rational analysis of costs and benefits.
It seems to me that cycling has potential to move people off our roads, although it will obviously not be viable for everyone. The question is, would building more infrastructure increase uptake, or given what I’ve seen on my rides, does the carrot not really work for the majority when it comes to active transport? Will people only get on their bikes once the viability of motoring passes a personal tipping point for them (for whatever reason)?
The post was from MP for Northcote and resident of Queen St Jonathan Coleman. There are a lot of really positive comments in there and suggests Coleman has much better view on transport and the future than some of his colleagues. I wonder if he still stands by them or if he gives into the more vocal neighbours he has. This recent article in the North Shore Times suggests the latter.
Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman, who lives on Queen St, says he has received a “hell of a lot of correspondence from residents who have huge issues” with parking.
A recreational cyclist, Coleman rides the proposed route frequently, but says he cannot see the justification for it.
“I see very few cyclists along the route and there’s nothing in the consultation document about cost,” he says.
An Auckland Transport spokeswoman says the estimated cost of the cycle route is less than $4m.
Coleman believes the cycleway is a “trojan horse” to get the Skypath’s northern landfall from the Harbour Bridge built at Northcote Point
Some locals are already gearing up to try and stop the project completely and I’ve heard stories of passing cyclists being abused by people as a result. As such it’s really important that as many people as possible submit in favour of the project.
The post from Jonathan Coleman also suggests that his personal views aren’t necessarily opposed to the project so it would also be worthwhile letting him know he should support the project if you live in his electorate.
Cycle Action Auckland member Steve Southall has also written this good post about the open day on Saturday and makes this important comment
And it’s here I was a little surprised. While of course there were some Northcote Point residents concerned with the loss of on-street parking, a message coming through loud and clear from most residents was, “We don’t feel safe cycling at the moment. If this cycle route goes in, it’ll be much easier for my family and me to get out on our bikes”.
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Why would ratepayers be providing parking for private vehicles?
What do you mean!?!?
The lady from the article will be losing 3 of her carparks and will now have to walk at least 200m to her car now. The outrage!
“It’s just the most illogical idea” she says.
And then there is George Wood who tweeted that the concrete road is a heritage item so bike lanes couldn’t possibly go ahead.
Why do professional decision makers i.e politicians make statements like “The question is, would building more infrastructure increase uptake, or given what I’ve seen on my rides, does the carrot not really work for the majority when it comes to active transport? “. There is truck loads of evidence that if you build the adequate infrastructure people will use it. Why doesn’t he know this? Or was a rhetorical question? Or is Auckland different to everwhere?
One interesting point I’ve heard is that the alternative to street parking is for homeowners to pave over the front gardens along Queen St. In this sense, ratepayers aren’t “paying for residents street parking” but are instead “paying residents to maintain the heritage look and feel of the street”. I know cyclists lives are more important, but perhaps a better solution would be a mixed use street like Fort St? That could suit all road users including those who like the way the street looks.
A very quick review of google maps (I only looked at northcote point) shows most houses do already have driveways and garages. The issue is a family of 5 having 3 cars but not wanting to pay for their own parking.
ANd there is very few places that parking is being removed on both sides of the road so they may have to park on the other side. The most impacted in the Tavern and it has its own parking anyway.
“paying residents to maintain the heritage look and feel of the street” – If we are then I demand as a ratepayer that this stop immediately. I see no value for me in that and the only advantage is to the already wealthy residents.
“perhaps a better solution would be a mixed use street like Fort St” – Sure but that will require that all parking is removed rather than just 3 parking spots. I have no problem with that but I am pretty sure the residents will.
i dont know about lake road, but queen street seems like its wide enough to maintain parking (in most places), traffic lanes and cycle lanes
That’s part of the point – this is far from removing all parking. In most cases, over most of the length, parking will remain on the opposite side of the road. The horror of having to cart groceries all that way…
If there was a proper cycle network away from cars then more people will use them. Until that happens the token cycle ways will continue to be underutilized. If there was real commitment from AT it would happen. A bit of green paint and a few hundred millimetres from fast traffic doesnt make a viable cycle alternative.
Which is why this proposal has significant lengths of kerbed protection (Copenhagen lanes), and sections with flexi-bollard protection. It could be better, but it’s already a lot more than usual.
I believe we consult far too much in Auckland. Sure invite opinions so that a design can be improved, but don’t allow the bunch of nimbys who appear to inhabit every square inch of Auckland to shut down every project that is proposed. Every project seems to be about small minded individuals who are “outraged” about one thing or other. Talk about 1st world problems!
Btw – has much thinking been done on how Skypath will connect with the wider North shore? This proposal might be fine for those in Northcote or places further North, but is hardly a direct route for those headed to Takapuna or the Devonport peninsula.
Google “SeaPath” – currently being investigated by NZTA.
all of these comments on parking relate to resident parking, but don’t recognise two major attractions for visitors to the area. These are the Bridgeway Theatre, Sausolito and The Engine Room restaurants (Queen/Bartley) and the Northcote Tavern (Queen/King). Visitor parking is particularly hard to find when going to the movies and losing parks on Queen St would only make this situation worse.
This position is in the light of several years cycle commuting between the Northcote Point wharf and Northcote Central, from this experience I really don’t think that there’s enough vehicle traffic on Queen St to protect cyclists from!
However an obvious shortfall in the scheme is the usual “shrug, too hard” approach to the intersections/roundabouts.
The idea that *local* attractions or shops will lose custom because good cycleways are making it easier for locals to cycle always flabbergasts me. Evidence from all over the world – including car centric places – shows that great cycling conditions are awesome for local shops and places like local cinemas etc… It’s the malls that lose custom when local cycling starts happening, not the grocer next door.
gernerally true Loraxus, but I don’t see that sort of culture change in this particular market happening in the near future
And that change will never happen so long as the street environment never changes. If separated cycle paths don’t increase cycling, they will be the only ones built anywhere that haven’t.