February 2026 Newsletter
https://www.cyclewellington.org.nz/february_2026_newsletter
Kia ora koutou -
The cycleways program in Wellington has been dragged into the news these last couple of weeks in some troubling disinformation behaviour online. Some groups have been attempting to push the false narrative that the disastrous situation with wastewater at Moa Point is in some way connected to Wellington’s excellent recent work to roll out better and safer cycling facilities.
This is obviously misleading, but it is even more troubling that some are spreading and promoting these destructive narratives intentionally. In equally disheartening ways - this kind of messaging follows similar lines of attacks on cycling initiatives by leaders of the current government.
We’re very concerned about these divisive trends and encourage supporters and people on bikes to push back in constructive ways where they can. This doesn’t mean reposting links to the disinformation itself. Reacting to and boosting lies often only benefits those making them.
In that spirit, we’re pleased to share some informed and accurate commentary on the history of funding here from past Eastern Ward Councillor Sean Rush. In an opinion piece in The Post he states:
“... [Clr] Tamatha [Paul] with support from Labour/Green councillors and responding to community feedback, drafted an amendment to instead apply it to fund Option 4. The amendment did not remove funding from the wastewater network; the wastewater options were evaluated, consulted on, and costed independently. The decision to support the Option 4 cycleway was financially and procedurally separate from the choice not to adopt the Option 3 accelerated three waters investment programme (which did not involve Moa Point anyway).”
Thanks to Sean for speaking up with clarity on this.
Like all Wellingtonians, we’re dismayed by the situation the Moa Point failure has created. We trust that our leaders will work to identify the true causes behind this failure and deliver solutions that ensure this doesn’t happen again.
We also expect our leaders to persevere with making our streets safer for everyone to get around our city in healthy ways. We don’t need to choose between safe water and safe ways of getting around. We need both.
Alex Dyer and Linda Beatson
Co-Chairs Cycle Wellington
Calls to action
CW at VUW
Tuesday 24 - Wednesday 25 February
Kelburn Campus
Cycle Wellington will be supporting a stall to promote better biking and cycle advocacy at Victoria University’s Clubs Day. Are you currently studying, and are you interested in raising the voice of students on bikes? Email [email protected] if you can help out for an hour or two next week.
Volunteer at PARK(ing) Day
Saturday 28 February
Cuba Street
It would be great to have some Cycle Wellington folks to help out at the Bike Valet as part of PARK(ing) Day this year. If you're keen to sign up for the roster please email: [email protected]
Shift times:
- 10am – 12pm
- 12 – 2pm
- 2 – 4pm
Responsibilities:
- Assisting drop off and bike registration
- Promoting any bike offerings, info, and freebies
Volunteer at Newtown Festival
Sunday 8 March
The awesome Newtown local Yadana Saw is hoping some Cycle Wellington peeps can spend a little time at the entrance/exits where there will be bike parking again this year. Not a formal valet service, just helping draw attention to the parking and greeting people with their bikes.
Please email: [email protected]
What’s involved:
- wear your Cycle Wellington t-shirt or hoodie or whatever you want.
- set up racks and welcome people arriving by bike, 8-10am
- help people lock bikes in a secure and space-efficient way, to metal racks
- 4 sites: Newtown School, Rintoul Street, Constable Street, Russell Terrace
Upcoming bikeness
Aotearoa Bike Challenge
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge continues for the rest of February with more than 2000 riders in Wellington reducing their CO2 emissions by more than 17 tonnes so far this month!
ABC is for everyone - individuals, groups and businesses. Log your rides with the kids, your commute, or quaxing to the shops to earn points.
Register now and be in to win great prizes!
Wellington mountain bike festival
27 February – 1 March
Celebrate our city’s trails and community with three action-packed days of rides, music, activities, demos, product showcase, food, craft beer and fun for riders of all levels and non-riders. Organised by Trails Wellington.
Trafinz Transportation Conference
8-11 March
Our Co-Chair, Alex Dyer, will attend this industry conference with a focus on resilience in the areas of road safety, traffic management, green infrastructure and parking.
Next Cycle Wellington Meeting
6pm Tuesday 3 March 2026
Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, and online.
CANDo 2026 - Quiet revolution
20 - 22 March 2026
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
At CANDo, advocates, organisers, planners, and passionate riders from across the motu gather to connect, learn, and energise the national push for better biking.
CAN Do is the one weekend where you can recharge your passion, sharpen your advocacy skills, and join a nationwide network of people shaping a better cycling future for Aotearoa.
Recent goings on
WCC Transport projects
The Bunny Street and TSB Arena service lane consultation has been delayed. Watch this space for updates.
Mayor Little and WCC’s Chief Executive made a last minute decision to postpone this planned consultation based on what we understand were ‘bad optics’ in relation to the current Moa Point wastewater failure situation. There are other capital expenditure projects facing delays for this reason as well. The pause means any start on construction hoped for this season will be pushed back until next summer at earliest.
While it is disappointing that a delay is happening with this, the dotted blue line in the image above betrays Council’s obvious strategy to build a cycling route along the waterfront itself. Cycle Wellington does not support reducing the quality of space for pedestrians with cycle lanes this way. We would rather see a plan that repurposes traffic space on the Quays (Please) where possible, as we’ve been campaigning for, for a long time.
If you also feel strongly about prioritising space for people to continue to enjoy the waterfront, contact the Mayor and councillors now about this indicative plan, even though there is no formal consultation running. Please let them know how disappointing and concerning that the critical work that has been making Welly streets safer is being delayed and disrupted so much. Also - take the opportunity to remind them of the preferable approach of making more efficient use of a lane along the road corridor.
Go by bike day ‘26
Go by bike day on 10 February, hosted again by WCC and supported by Cycle Wellington, was a success, with dozens meeting and breakfasting under the sails at Queens Wharf.
Thanks again to WCC for pressing ahead with this core event for the cycling community. And thanks too to those who helped out on the day by volunteering.
At our last meeting
At the February Cycle Wellington meeting we discussed some tips for making effective OIA requests (from those who have worked on both sides of the fence), including asking specific questions to narrow the scope and avoid delay and costs. You can also ask for a list of submitters or correspondence, and then follow up in a subsequent OIA.
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