https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/november_2023_newsletter

Kia ora koutou -

We’re concerned to hear that Wellington City Council is proposing a reduction in funding of up to $81M for active and public transport infrastructure as part of the upcoming Long Term Plan.

Our understanding is that the proposed savings are apparently being argued for partly due to the lower-than-expected cost of recent projects going in (at a transitional quality) - and a suggested move to only deliver the remainder to a lower quality than originally promised.

‘Transformational-lite’ would mean that completed routes would comprise facilities that have ‘less grade separation between bikes and cars’; meaning there would be less expensive heavy engineering involved. The objective of the reduced spend would: "Still separated as much as possible and using existing road carriageway instead of raising bike lanes to footpath level." and to “roll out the whole network at same speed but to keep with the less expensive transitional approach”.

It still remains unclear in a transformational-lite future what further treatment we could expect to see applied to routes that have been completed or consulted on to a transitional level only.

With the little information we have so far, we can appreciate some of the reasoning as well as the pressures that our city is under financially, but we remain unconvinced that this will be a sensible move. While we can support the critical need to complete the network and see space repurposed quickly, compromising investment in active and public transport will definitely do more harm than good in the long run.

Either way, get ready for a busier time than hoped for leading up to the vote on the Long Term Plan next year.

Ngā mihi nui

Linda Beatson and Alex Dyer
Co-Chairs

Upcoming bikeness

Big Bike Gala

12 - 4pm, Saturday 18 November

46 Russell Terrace, Newtown

Join Ekerua ReBicycle for a fun day full of activities to do with bikes! 

• Bike parts table sale
• Bike spa
• Face painting
• E-bikes and e-scooter test rides
• Kai & refreshments
• …and more!

Supported by Wellington City Council.

Picnics in Parks

11am - 12:30pm weekly on Fridays

Changing locations

Every Friday (weather allowing) we meet up somewhere in central city Wellington in an on-street parking space. Join us for a chat and coffee, and sometimes: knitting, board games, 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

6pm Tuesday 5 December 2023

Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, and online.

Project updates

Wellington City Council

Transitional projects

Oral submissions completed for both Karori and Newtown to Berhampore projects.

Work is underway on Kilbirnie Connections at Onepu Road, and the connection from Cobham Drive to Kemp St by the sports centre.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming consultation on the Long Term Plan that includes proposed reductions in budget for active and public transport work.

Behaviour Change

The new “Get there together” campaign is being progressed.

Preparation for the Aotearoa Bike Challenge coming up in February

Freyburg Street trial installed

Waterfront

The Quays Please petition will be tabled and responded to at the Environment and Infrastructure Committee Meeting on 30 November 2023.