While Christchurch has been busy planning some impressive cycling facilities, our southern neighbours in Dunedin have also been busy making things a little better for cycling. The most recent initiative has been to install some cycle lane separator posts to restrict motor vehicles from crossing cycle lanes on the city’s State Highways.
Dunedin’s recent flurry of activity unfortunately owe much to a couple of cycle fatalities in the past two years, both of which occurred on the city’s one-way street State Hwy network. This had led to short-term treatments to the existing cycle lanes, but also plans for much more comprehensive cycle networks involving separated cycleways and neighbourhood greenways (or “quiet streets”). All up, they are talking about an impressive $47 million cycle network. (although it’s a moot point about whether they will “lead the country in cycle safety” – haven’t they been paying attention up here?)
Cycle lane separators have of course been trialled here in Christchurch, although for slightly different situations. In Dunedin, one of the concerns is with motorists crossing over cycle lanes to get to turn lanes; by introducing the separators this manoeuvre can be confined to one particular section rather than anywhere along the length. It’s a fairly busy road, and the existing cycle lanes may not attract many new riders. But some separation at least provides some comfort and safety for those who are using the cycle lanes.
What do you think of these applications for separators?
Perhaps it could be time to set up a leader board for NZ cities : $ spend on active transport initiatives per resident and create a bit of competition between us all . ( as in the US ) . $47m sounds quite impressive for a city the size of Dunedin , hills and all . Should we be reassessing our adulation for CCC and their $69m commitment ,