https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/november_2021_newsletter

Kia ora koutou -

Get prepared for a deluge of submission writing, Pōneke! There is a huge amount on right now that needs support and insights.

Cycle Wellington has joined forces with Generation Zero, Renters United, Connect Wellington and other groups to run a coordinated, well-funded campaign to get the best progressive outcome for our city.

The ‘A City For People’ campaign (created for the Spatial Plan) will be adapted to promote engagement and share submission advice for the Our City Tomorrow consultations now open.

Thanks for your ongoing support everyone!

Ngā mihi nui,

 

Alex Dyer and Linda Beatson
Co-Chairs Cycle Wellington

 

Calls to action

Bike Network Plan

Submissions close Tuesday 14 December 2021

This is what we’ve been waiting for - the promise of a connected network for people on bikes to get around Pōneke for everyday journeys.

Look for your chance to contribute insights about how to make the most of cycling in your area. This engagement is also a chance for Wellingtonians to shape how the design can work for you and your whānau by contributing your local knowledge on how to make riding bikes in your area better.

We know that bike lanes are climate action. We are working on a submission guide, watch out for the A City for People campaign.

District Plan

Submissions close Tuesday 14 December 2021

You can now have your say on the District Plan for Wellington. Cycle Wellington is working on a submission guide as part of the A City for People campaign collaboration.

Mass Rapid Transit 

Submissions close Friday 10 December 2021

You can now have your say on the route forward for public transport in Wellington. Cycle Wellington is working on a submission guide as part of the A City for People campaign collaboration.

There will be a full programme of roadshow events and online webinars.

PETITION: Free public transport for those who need it.

The Aotearoa Collective for Public Transport Equity have launched a petition asking the Transport Minister, The Hon. Michael Wood to legislate for free public transport for Community Services Card holders, full- and part-time tertiary students, and under-25s nationwide. Cycle Wellington supports this to enable more people to access public transport.

Help shape the Emissions Reduction Plan

Submissions close 11.59pm Wednesday 24 November 2021

The Ministry for the Environment is calling for ideas for what to include in the upcoming national emissions reduction plan. Cycle Wellington is certain cycling has a much greater role to play in reducing our transport emissions profile than currently implicated.

Please send in your ideas for how to elevate the importance of cycling and bicycles, and how to accelerate the transformation of our transport environment and systems to enable anyone who wants to, to ride their bike for everyday journeys.

Ngauranga Gorge shared path repair work

Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) is upgrading the northbound (uphill) shared path on State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. The work is happening from Tyers Road to Kiwi Point Quarry.

This part of the work is expected to be completed by around the 26th of November 2021. Sections of the shared path will be widened with signage and streetlights relocated accordingly.

The shared path will remain usable throughout the project. A coned or fenced pathway will be made so you can safely bypass works and vehicles. People on bikes may be asked to dismount and may be guided through the worksite for their safety.

Please keep your speed down, and look out for each other and pedestrians at the work sites.

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Upcoming bikeness

Picnics in Parks

11am - 12:30pm weekly on Fridays
Changing locations

Every Friday (nearly!) we meet up somewhere in central city Wellington in an on-street parking space. Join us for a chat and coffee, and sometimes: knitting, boardgames, and puppies, and help passers-by rethink the use of public space. We’re usually near a cafe, so come support a local business for your lunch as well.

Next Cycle Wellington Meeting

Tuesday 7th December 2021

Sustainability Trust, Forresters Lane and via Zoom. Make sure you are signed up through our website for further details closer to the time.

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Project updates

WCC

Miramar

The build is taking longer than anticipated. Construction is still progressing, hoping to finish around February next year.

Evans Bay

Construction is continuing with the Kio Bay cycle way done bar finishing touches on some driveways. Completion expected within two to three weeks.

Part 2 from Greta Point to Cobham Drive received a sizable engagement including 1030 submission responses. With 63% supportive of the design and cycleway the team are pleasantly surprised by the turn out and feedback. Thanks to all our supporters for putting in the time for this.

Our volunteers Alex and Daniel presented to WCC.

Our key points:

• Yes to the new path - it will complete a world-class piece of the cycling network
• It improves life for people walking too
• No to a shared path. It's simply not adequate to meet demand, and it's less safe than separate paths, like on Cobham Drive.
• Bike lanes are climate action
• Evidence shows that bike lanes are great for local businesses like cafes and child care centres
• Re: car parking - Council should work with recreational users to make better use of vacant land at the marina, and add P5 spaces at Cog Park so Hataitai beach users can do drop offs
• Thanks to Wellington City Council for all their good work

Oriental Bay

Work to fix the surface to avoid some large puddles forming will be starting next year.

Our City Tomorrow

Wellington City Council have launched a large piece of engagement that incorporates both housing and land use issues - The District Plan, and a vision for making getting around easier, nicer, and healthier - The Bike Network Plan.

Wellington City Council will be engaging with the community in multiple ways: 10 road shows at different locations around the city, a webinar Tuesday 16th November, and popups for people on bikes. Council are keen to arrange some workshop session/s with CW to input our expertise for the network. We expect to further discuss how to go about this.

Let’s Get Wellington Moving

Mass Rapid Transit consultation

Submissions close Friday 10 December 2021

Have your say on the route forward for public transport in Wellington.

 

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Recent goings on

Bike Life series

Patrick Morgan has been producing some great posts from people all over Pōneke with their views on why riding bikes for everyday journeys is so rewarding for them, and how it could be even better.

Volunteer to be interviewed and share your bike life stories.

Liz Barnao

Cycle Wellington posters on Locky Docks

Keep an eye out for our new poster up on Locky Docks screens. Thanks to Big Street Bikers for the support!

Reimagining Wellington series on Stuff

Over the last week Stuff have been running a great new series of pieces on how Wellington might evolve for the better. Have a read through them all!

COP26 cycling joint letter

Cycle Wellington signed up in support of a joint letter to COP26 negotiations to give cycling a much higher profile in climate action plans and policy.