Hey, we're all on the same road

From City Scene, published on 24 February, 2008

Auckland City Council works with other organisations to make cycling safer and easier.

As part of RoadSafe Auckland, the council works with other local government organisations, the New Zealand Police and interest groups like Cycle Action Auckland to make cycling easier and safer.

Each year in Auckland there are about 200 reported crashes involving cyclists and between one and three cyclists killed. RoadSafe Auckland wants to reduce these injuries and deaths.

Working with other organisations allows the council to share resources and expertise, and contribute to regional cycle-safety campaigns.

RoadSafe's latest campaign, "Hey, we're all on the same road", was launched last week. Spokesperson Peter Kippenberger says getting more people cycling has environmental and health benefits, and both motorists and cyclists can help improve cycle safety.

"Cyclists are legitimate road users entitled to mix with other traffic," Mr Kippenberger says. "The campaign focuses on motorist and cyclist behaviour since it's not feasible to build an entirely separate cycle network."

Monitoring of cycle numbers in Auckland city since 2001 has shown a steady increase in the number of cyclists travelling during peak traffic times.

"Between 2006 and 2007, the number of cycle trips at 12 monitored sites in Auckland city during the morning peak times has increased by 7 per cent, or more than 1600 cycle trips," says Karen Hay, the council's road safety manager.

"As part of the council's commitment to making it easy for cyclists to get around the city, we have been getting on with completing the cycle network," she says.

Cycleway projects currently underway or completed include on-road cycleways on Carrington and St Lukes roads, Alfred and Princes streets, and Green Lane West. Other projects include shared footpaths on Tamaki Drive, Quay Street, and the Green Lane East, Westhaven, Waikaraka and North-western cycleways.