Comments on: Christchurch cycling – Copenhagen style

By: David Moorhouse

David Moorhouse — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:41:21 +0000

I’m interested to see how the Dutch style intersections will work here in Chch. In Holland the dominant vehicle is automatically held liable for any collision, which kinda focuses the mind of car drivers. Here it may be that our slap dash legal system will allow car drivers to continue ignoring cyclists in front of their eyes with the old “I didn’t see it/her/him” excuse providing immunity from prosecution.
I really do hope I’m wrong.

By: Olly Powell

Olly Powell — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 09:43:46 +0000

In reply to Lennyboy.

Thanks for the link. I’m not sure about the Dutch intersection, though the “barn dance” sounds fun. Overall it is an awsome document.

My only real dissappointment was the lack of recommended speed limits. There is only a brief mention of “slower” residential street designs in a couple of places, and even less about changing legal limits.

None the less, it is exciting to see some decent attention to detail. And from my doorstep, I can actually see the Ilam road changes taking place before my eyes. So some of this stuff is really happening!

By: NigelTwo

NigelTwo — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:38:33 +0000

The slip lane design above puts cyclists in conflict with pedestrians. Not a good idea.
And how about a right turning cyclist in that illustration? Ugh, multi-lane intersections, I hate them.

These ideas are to be commended, and will probably be picked up and implemented by other local bodies around the country. They need careful review. We don’t get many chances like this!

By: Jim Slim

Jim Slim — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:55:55 +0000

Thanks for the link. Excellent report. The most important cycling document that the city council has ever put out. It’s clear that they have listened to advice and submissions and researched the options thoroughly. Copenhagen cycleways and Dutch intersections – what more could you ask for? The impetus towards a high quality cycling city seems to be building.

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:21:59 +0000

looks amazing! The diagrams look as if an actual cyclist has put some thought into this, which I haven’t seen in NZ before, so I think this will be an incredible improvement of things. really hope it will get all the funding needed.

By: Lennyboy

Lennyboy — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:35:37 +0000

In reply to Olly Powell.

Olly, I imagine that the final Design Guide will be made available once Council have (hopefully) signed off on it later this month. However you can see what the draft Guide looks like from the Agenda of the Env & Infrastructure Cm’tee mtg on April 4th – http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/TheCouncil/meetingsminutes/agendas/2013/April/EandI_4April2013_Agenda.pdf

By: Olly Powell

Olly Powell — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:41:37 +0000

Sounds promising, any idea when the document is made public?

I can I suggest that we in the cycling advocacy community start using the word “greenway” to mean off road facilities (parks, rivers, and the currently proposed “major cycleways”). So we align with our cousins in Auckland, and Oz. I have put some links below.

I am suggesting:
“greenway” instead of “major cycle route”
“slow streets” instead of “neighbourhood greenways”

This has the added benefit of highlighting other benefits of the “major cycle routes”, since most of them will in places also be great for walking, running, picnicking, other active outdoor activities and make good corridors for biodiversity and storm water management.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenway_%28landscape%29

http://www.aevv-egwa.org/site/hp_en.asp

http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/greenways_project