Issues raised with cycleways

IMPROVEMENTS will continue to be made to Dunedin’s new cycle lanes as more problems are reported.

Multiple issues with the unfinished State Highway 1 cycle lanes have been raised by cyclists, including a decrease in safety, as more sections are completed.

But the NZ Transport Agency says it is continually reviewing the project to make sure it is as safe and efficient as possible.

Cycling Otago president Paula Hasler said there had been an increase in the number of reports of collisions and near misses between cyclists and pedestrians, which was alarming.

The organisation has asked its members to report to any safety issues directly to NZTA.

The agency had been receptive to the criticism and it was important it knew what was wrong with the design, Ms Hasler said.

Another area of concern was where the lane passed over commercial driveways, such as near the McDonald’s in North Dunedin.

Vehicles constantly sat in the cyclelane outside the restaurant checking if hey could pull out on to the road, increasing the risk of collisions, she said.

NZTA senior project manager Simon Underwood said postconstruction audits were carried out on each stage as the project progressed and new or identified issues were addressed.

Outside of McDonald’s, the NZTA would assess the safety of the cycle lane to see if there were ways to reduce unwanted interactions between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists, Mr Underwood said.

Issues with the phasing of traffic lightsfor cyclists have also been raised.

Full separation at intersections was the safest approach, but it also created delays which could be frustrating, Mr Underwood said.

The intersections would continue to be reviewed to try to minimise delays while still ensuring a safe journey for all road users, he said.

Dunedin lawyer Len Andersen timed two journeys on his bike from Howe St to Stuart St; one using the road and one using the new cycle lanes.

It took almost twice as long to use the cycle lanes.

The trips revealed how impractical the lanes were, Mr Andersen said.

Until they were redesigned in a way which made them friendly to cyclists, the lanes would continue to be underused, he said.