Seven years ago, Chch was well into rebuild mode after the quakes, making for a lot of road works, closed streets, and other detours. The operational impacts of those works on people trying to bike around town weren’t always great, so Spokes worked hard with the main players to get a better appreciation of the (often little) things that would make life safer for biking (e.g. not putting signs in bike lanes…). One of the results was a pretty good local guide to temporary traffic management around biking, certainly better than the national guidance. This post, originally from Sep 2013, outlines a few of the useful outcomes:
Earlier in 2013 following persistent complaints about the management of site safety around roadway work sites from people riding bikes, members of Spokes’ asked for a meeting with SCIRT (Stronger Chch Infrastructure Rebuild Team) to discuss how things can be improved. In April two of Spokes reps, along with a member of the public, were invited to meet with the Traffic Management Tactical Group TMTG (the SCIRT delivery teams’ Traffic managers).
Since that first meeting there have been several more with Fletchers, one of the five contracting companies responsible for the day to day management of work sites. This has included a presentation to active transport advocates and a bike ride to inspect some of the sites. Thank you to SCIRT for this piece… http://strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/article/four-wheels-good-two-wheels-better
In recent months the complaints about site management have decreased so hopefully that is an indication things have improved. But if the reader sees a problem either speak (politely) to the STMS manager on-site or post a comment on http://fixmystreet.org.nz/home where problems can be monitored as they arise. {Update: these days use CCC’s SnapSendSolve app instead}
Remember that your safety is paramount, if it feels too dangerous for you on the road then use the footpath. If you share the path with pedestrians, slow down and be considerate.
How do you find temporary traffic management around Chch these days?
Couple weeks ago, I managed to ride into some roadworks from a bike path, and didn’t realise I was going into traffic. On figuring this, I stopped and spoke with a guy holding a stop/go sign who said “I don’t give a **** about bikes” Disappointing.
So there’s still a long way to go with roadworks. Perhaps if the STMS people tried riding through their setups, they might realise what’s wrong.
Agree, a long way to go. Certain contractors are better than others. A classic one day was a load of steel helpfully delivered onto the cycleway with no diversion or alternative. Stopped and had a chat to the STMS guy on site, similar response to Criggie above. Always surprised shock when the ‘cyclist’ who’s stopped to have a ‘moan’ turns out to also be a STMS and knows what they’re talking about. Video footage to CTOC and CCC.