We’re seeking feedback on a proposed cycleway for Summerhill Drive and part of Aokautere Drive.
A couple of years ago, we installed part of the cycleway between Turitea Road and Springdale Grove. We didn’t finish installing the protection barrier between the cycle lane and the traffic lane, or install all the cycleway near the Turitea Road intersection.
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency has now provided funding to complete the cycleway between Tennent Drive and Pacific Drive, connecting Summerhill and Aokautere with Fitzherbert Bridge and the Manawatū River Pathway.
The agency's Transport Choices programme provides 100% funding for us to complete the cycleway on Summerhill Drive and along Aokautere Drive, from Summerhill to Pacific Drive. It's important to note the section of Aokautere Drive between Old West Road and Pacific Drive is SH56, which is controlled by Waka Kotahi. Any suggestions for pedestrian or other improvements here will be shared with them for consideration.
The funding we’ve received is to complete the cycleway and pedestrian improvements before June 2024 – that gives us about 15 months to get your ideas, design, get your feedback on the design, find a contractor and install the cycleway.
Installing a cycleway is a key requirement to enable our Aokautere urban growth plan.
We want your feedback before we start design
One of the lessons we’ve learnt from some transport projects over the last couple of years, including the portion of Summerhill cycleway, is that we need to get more information from the people who know the street best before we start working on a design.
We have access to data and traffic engineers, and we often hear feedback from the community, but you are the people who know the area best, and we want you to provide information about things that concern you on the street.
In March/April we asked for your feedback on how we could make these streets safer. Our team are now working on proposed designs and will again seek your feedback in July/August.
There will be a physical barrier between people on bikes and vehicles
As you know, Summerhill Drive is 60km/hr. We know that speed is a real concern for many of you. We’re continuing to have conversations with Waka Kotahi about the speed on Summerhill Drive and Aokautere Drive.
Due to the speed and the wide variety of vehicles using the road, we know that we will need a protection barrier between bike riders and other traffic. This will likely be concrete, rubber or something similar to a kerb. Have you seen something that you like that you’d like us to consider?
You’ll hear from us again in winter to show you our proposed design
After getting your feedback, we will begin analysing it and working out what we can incorporate into our design. Then we'll come back and show you our proposed design for your final feedback.
At this stage we intend on doing the construction over summer but that could change, depending on how long it takes us to get your ideas, do more investigations and work on a detailed design. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
The project will be completed by the end of June next year.
Why are we building cycleways?
Our Urban Cycle Network Masterplan is about helping Palmy move across the city safely and efficiently.
You’ve probably noticed your daily commute is taking longer than it did a few years ago as our city and region grows.
More people riding bikes makes our city safer, our commutes more efficient, and our community healthier.
More people riding bikes means your commute time won't keep getting longer.
In 2019, when we developed our cycle network masterplan, many people told us they wanted to bike but didn’t feel safe. We're aiming to create a network of streets connected across the city with best practice cycleways, so people are safer sharing the road with motor vehicles.
It’s not until most or all of these are installed in the city that we’d expect to see a large increase in people choosing to ride bikes. We know there can be some limitations to riding bikes, such as dropping kids at school or the weather, but over time we’re hoping people will consider a different choice because they feel safe to do so – even if it’s just a day or two a week.
Biking is great for our physical and mental health, and of course saves money on fuel and the stress of finding parking. It’s also a way we can help our planet by reducing our emissions.