23 August 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: CyWay network project

Inquiry

As the council is currently asking for feedback on stretches of the CyWay project and parts of it have been recently completed, I thought it would be a good time for an update story.

• What remains to be completed in the CyWay network?
• What has been completed and when? I read there were 10 stages. What are those?
• What was the original budget for CyWay and what has been spent? Is the project under, over or on budget? Who paid for this?
• One recurring complaint has been about Ranolf St and the way the new shared path appears to jut into the road more than it once had, what is council's response to that complaint?
• How much is being spent on other footpaths that aren't included in CyWay?
• Why are people encouraged to use CyWay instead of the road? Is it safer? Is there a danger for people using Cyway, of cars coming out of driveways?
• How is the use of CyWays monitored? In terms of knowing how many walkers/cyclists are using them? Do you know how they are used and who by?

Feedback on CyWay is open, http://www.cyway.nz/feedback/?ed-step=1

• How many people have provided feedback?
• What sections of CyWay does the feedback related to?
• What are some examples of feedback, positive and negative?

I have also seen what I understand is latest update. https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/news/Pages/default.aspx?newsItem=7997

Response

Info provided

There is no current consultation re CyWay. The feedback link on the CyWay site is the general feedback portal that is always open for feedback and questions. There's nothing specifically being called for at this time.

In terms of updates, there may not be much more than was in the comprehensive update from 30 July and [Daily Post] ran the previous update [from Council] in May (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12056328)

Re what are the 10 projects - there are actually 11 with Reeme being added to the original 10 at request of residents (referred to in May update). The projects are outlined on the CyWay website - click on CyWay Projects' link from home page - see below the list on the left. That adds up to 8 and the others are in completed projects'.

Response:

The CyWay programme is distinct and separate to the programme of maintaining and renewing some 670 kms of existing footpaths. Council's budget for the repair and maintenance of these footpaths is about $260,000 p.a. (fixing cracks, replacing cobbles) and incorporates a separate allowance of $500,000 p.a. for footpath renewals (replacing parts of or whole footpaths).

The initial cost of building Rotorua's CyWay network is supported through funding from the Government's Urban Cycleways Fund ($1.5m) and the National Land Transport Fund ($2.1m). To gain external funding Council had to commit a local share to the overall budget, being $1.9m.

The 2018-28 Long-term Plan sets out ongoing CyWay enhancements of up to $1 million per annum over the life of the plan with New Zealand Transport Agency providing 55% of that investment.

The Government's Urban Cycleways Programme funding criteria requires local authorities to report project usage data to meet funding criteria. The information also helps with measuring the success of a project, planning future infrastructure, and education programmes.

There are four permanent counters in place on inner city cycleways in Rotorua and there are additional temporary/mobile counters that are moved around to monitor usage on other parts of the CyWay network. These counters are able to differentiate between pedestrians and bike riders. Every year manual site surveys are also carried out by people watching specific areas for a period of time and recording pedestrians, bike riders and other wheeled devices eg mobility scooters.

In terms of use we are seeing a very encouraging increase in teenage and child riders across most shared paths during weekdays and an overall increase in wheeled users on weekdays which would point to the primary objective of the programme is being met. This is to encourage people to get to their destination through active modes of transport such as cycling, walking, scootering etc.

The vision of Rotorua's CyWay programme is to create a city where everyone can travel around safely and freely using the transport mode of their choice.

Cycleways and shared paths provide an option for people keen to ride a bike for transport or leisure but not confident riding on the roads where they are closer to moving vehicles. During the initial CyWay engagement and consultation in 2015 it was clear that riding on the roads was a significant barrier to most people who wanted to give biking a go.

We expect people who are comfortable riding on the road will continue to do so. Shared paths are built with vulnerable users in mind such as people new to biking, children, elderly, parents with young children and those with impairment. The speeds at which they travel are generally slower meaning it is easier to stop when required.

The CyWay programme is about giving people a choice by making biking safe through the establishment of a connected network that connects riders with the likes of schools, recreation and shopping areas, and connects suburbs and the city centre as well as to other main cycling routes.

There is a significant body of work that provides guidelines on how to reduce risk to CyWay users from cars exiting or entering driveways. These guidelines are used in the design of the CyWay corridors. However motorists and users of footpaths, shared paths or cycleways must always be aware and watchful as they either exit or enter drive ways or move past them.

The CyWay team deliver safety information to residents living along cycleways and shared paths to help and encourage them to be more aware of pedestrians and bike riders. Billboards, radio advertising and educational material in school newsletters also helps to encourage people to develop safer habits, whatever their mode of transport.

Physical aspects are also added as part of the CyWay projects to guide drivers, pedestrians and bike riders about how to use cycleways and shared paths safely. Share with care signs, footpath etchings, courtesy crossings, kerb extensions and pedestrian refuge islands are features that increase safety awareness and encourage the correct use of the space.

In the past seven months Council has received 14 pieces of feedback for the CyWay network via the Customer Centre and the online feedback portal at www.cyway.nz

The feedback focussed on the Springfield link, Ranolf link, inner city link, Whakarewarewa link and the Sulphur Point track.

Eight of the submissions were questions or requests about CyWay projects (e.g. completion dates, request for kerb let downs, help with safe cycling routes), three were people notifying Council of damage and three were critical of shared path design or cost.

Permanent counters - daily averages

1 Jan 2018 - 22 August 2018

*please note that we also receive feedback through other mediums such as social media, face to face and phone calls but these are not necessarily recorded or collated.

Re Ranolf Street and the complaints about the kerb jutting into the road. This was explained in the latest update. Excerpt below:

Why the kerbs are extended at street corners

For anyone wondering why the kerb on the ends of the side streets are extended and rounded, these are called 'traffic calming' features. They are designed to purposely slow vehicles down as they turn into side streets.

This makes it much safer for people crossing side streets as they travel on shared paths.

The line markings in the middle of Ranolf Street will be moved to accommodate the extra space taken by the kerb extensions.

*Please note that the line markings have now been moved.