Cycle Wellington July 2021 Newsletter
https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/cycle_wellington_july_2021_newsletter
Kia ora koutou. Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori
Even though it is cooler and darker, we are encouraged by the current project work around the city by Wellington City Council and Let’s Get Wellington Moving. We’re hopeful that the pace of change is going to accelerate.
We’ve been busy at Cycle Wellington, with help from our friends at Diagram we now have a new website! More info below.
We’re really proud of all the mahi you, our supporters, and other Wellingtonians have made to press for better cycling. While we have pressed for some big funding commitments this year, we have to accept that the transformation of streets and mobility in Wellington will only be achieved through ongoing collaboration, pressure and problem solving by all involved.
We’re up for the challenge. We hope you’ll stick with us to help get things across the line.
Ngā mihi nui, kia kaha e te whānau!
Linda Beatson and Alex Dyer
Co-Chairs
Calls to action
Support Cycle Wellington on our new website
Cycle Wellington has a new website to power our advocacy. Please join to help make cycling better in Wellington.
For those of you who are currently paid members through the CAN membership system, your existing support still applies. We will be moving off the CAN system in order to better connect with our supporter base and achieve more. Your ongoing financial support would be gratefully received. You can make monthly or one-off donations.
We’re extremely grateful for all the expertise and effort from Tom, Celia, and Nathan at Diagram to get this far. The site is still new. We continue to work to improve the site and add more information and features to it.
https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz
Sign the petition: A discount scheme for bikes is needed to help more people get around easily, and be healthier.
In Dec 2019 the government introduced a discount for public sector workers to buy e-bikes. That leaves out a lot of Kiwis. So we now want the government to be fair to everyone and implement a discount scheme that is open to all Kiwis and includes both e-bikes and non-e-bikes, and necessary equipment.
Please sign and share widely
Own a piece of local urbanism history - planter box auction
The Urban Repair Crew are auctioning one of the planter boxes used to create a pop-up separated cycleway in Berhampore in May. You can own a piece of local urbanism history and support Cycle Wellington to keep making biking better.
Good luck bidding!
Have your say - Brooklyn Road uphill bike lane
This Innovating Streets project is trialing a different engagement process of Tactical Urbanism with the first round of interventions being made soon. Please keep giving feedback on it using this survey
Have your say - Cobham Drive pedestrian crossing and SH1 speed changes
Submissions close 28 July 2021
Let’s Get Wellington Moving are consulting on a proposed design for a light-controlled pedestrian crossing at SH1 Cobham Drive near the ASB sports centre. There are also changes to traffic speed limits being recommended along that corridor. Please review the designs and have your say.
Here's our submission to guide you
Minor improvements map
Cycle Wellington collects observations of poor cycling conditions and ideas for how to improve them on a google map. The map is shared with council officers to help them prioritise minor improvement works. Please continue to submit ideas for locations you would like to see enhanced. View the map here to see what has already been suggested. This tool works best on a desktop browser.
Upcoming bikeness
Urbanerds meetup
Tuesday July 13th - 5:30-7:00pm
Fortune Favours, Leeds Street
Meet with urbanists from all walks (and cycles) in a fun, informal catch up. To keep in the loop sign up here.
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, 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 3rd August 2021
Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane
Project updates
Wellington City Council projects
For more info from Wellington City Council, please visit their site.
Thorndon Quay
Council voted to reorient parking along Thorndon Quay to be parallel to the kerb. This is a welcome, long overdue upgrade. This parking change will reduce the danger presented by angled parking until protected bike lanes are built by the Let’s Get Wellington Moving project.
Miramar Avenue
Currently under construction. The right turn across Miramar Avenue into the petrol station which is just before the roundabout has been removed. Seems to be working fine.
Kilbirnie KFC corner
Concept design signed off. In the process of modifying detailed design. Held up by the possibility of a mass transit route from LGWM.
Newtown Connections
Investigating what can be done on Adelaide Rd from The Basin to the Newtown shops on Riddiford Street.
Innovating streets
Process for the Brooklyn Road uphill bike lane seems to be ‘working pretty well’. As of June 25 there were 721 submissions of feedback received. The first set of changes that will be made based on that feedback:
- Swap out the lower driveway bumps for rumble strips
- Smooth the lip on the re-entry to the bike lane after on the first pedestrian build out
- Shifting the last plastic posts at the intersections back slightly
The project will eventually move to a traffic resolution process to settle on the permanent implementation.
The Marion Street Parklet has been returned (Yay!)
The Newtown parklet at Bebemos has gone. No info on next steps there yet.
Cycling Master Plan refresh
A refresh of the existing plan document is underway with a prioritisation workshop to be held with councillors, and paper presentation due September.
Let's Get Wellington Moving projects
Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road
Consultation on the Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road project has closed. LGWM is evaluating feedback. Further consultation (bus lane times and speeds) as well as the start of construction will happen in 2022.
Golden Mile
Decision taken to adopt Option Three: TRANSFORM. Yay! Congratulations to the project partners. Cycle Wellington supports a vibrant, people-friendly central city environment. Next steps include completing the business case, and starting detailed design development.
Recent goings on
"Together we Cycle" film screening
At our July meeting, held at Bicycle Junction, we were treated to a screening of ‘Together we cycle’. Thanks to Dan for hosting, and to the Embassy of The Netherlands for covering the film licensing fee.
https://togetherwecycle.eu
FlyCycling with the Minister of Transport
On a Sunday in June that definitely could be beat (weather-wise) CW supporters welcomed the Minister of Transport, Michael Wood (at centre), to Wellington Airport. We equipped him with an eBike and rode to Parliament. We hope that ‘flycycling’ by more of our leaders can become a familiar sight across Aotearoa. Thanks for loaning the e-bike, Bicycle Junction! And thanks for joining us for the ride Minister Wood!
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