3 May 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Cycling injuries report

Enquiry

Request for comment from reporter working on article about a Cycling trauma and cycling promotion report:

The data covers all forms of cycling - road and mountain biking - but the analysis does steer towards road safety.

My simple question for the appropriate council spokesperson is:

Do these conclusions below reassure the council that their investments in supporting safer cycling are worthwhile? Why?

Anything else they'd like to add is welcome.

Here is the summary of the findings provided to me, and the full report provides further context:

The Midlands based study found one in ten cyclists were admitted for major trauma and the number of cyclists admitted to hospital is increasing by about 17 per cent per year. Current policy pushes to promote cycling as a healthy, zero-emission mode of transport haven't been accompanied by a reciprocal investment in safer cycling infrastructure, the researchers say. Without it, we can expect injuries - including serious ones - to keep rising.

Also:

From New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

Hospital admission volumes and rates are rising with underlying variation in patient demography, place and severity of injury. Current policy direction to grow cycling participation based on the health, environmental and economic benefits is ahead of the implementation of safer cycling infrastructure, creating a timing lag.

Health, environmental and economic benefits of increased cycling participation are acknowledged - nevertheless there is a tension requiring greater acknowledgementin that the promotion of cycling is generally ahead of safety improvement initiatives. From our perspective this timing lag has consequences, for all cyclists injured and for health system costs. Due consideration of these consequences is needed if the full range of cycling benefits are to be realised.

Response

From Council's Safe and Sustainable Journeys Manager Jodie Lawson:

The conclusions of the report aren't surprising given the national uptake of biking both for commuting and recreational purposes and we understand most recorded injuries are on recreational cycling activities.

We have about 250kms of urban roads in Rotorua and aim for about 30kms of shared paths so believe it is a worthwhile investment in providing a safe network for alternative transport modes.

We are seeing a significant uptake of cycling and walking to key destinations (30-70%), especially to schools and our vision is a city where everyone can travel around freely and most importantly, safely.

Safety and access are key components of the investment that has gone into the Rotorua urban cycle programme, which aims to create a connected network of shared paths and cycleways that everyone, no matter their ability or age, will feel safe using.

During transport upgrades or when new facilities like bike or shared paths are created, Council follows best practice guidance set out by the NZ Transport Agency as well as working with community members and advocacy groups to ensure safety measures match user behaviour.

The primary consideration is always the safety of the most vulnerable road users - children, elderly and those with mobility issues.

The urban cycle programme, which is subsidised by the Government and the Transport Agency, has enabled Council to make significant changes, since 2015, to a number of residential roads that improve safety for pedestrians and people using alternative modes of transport.

As part of each new cycleway or shared path Council uses pedestrian or courtesy crossings to improve safety at road crossings. Traffic calming measures like extending kerbs, refuge islands, signage and road painting also help slow drivers to make it safer for shared path users.

The urban cycle fund has also enabled Council to work with a number of schools to upgrade their entrances improving safety for children making their way to and from school.

We are guided by national best practice and all routes undergo external safety audits. We are able to make adjustments to new and existing infrastructure if/when needed to suit users.

To date we have completed more than 20km of new shared and bike paths throughout the city, connecting people to schools, suburbs, recreation areas and the inner city.

Education is also a vital component and that extends to all road users, not just bikers. All road users have a role to play in making our roads safe for everyone.

Council's Sustainable Transport team works closely with schools and in partnership with others like the police.

To date more than 3400 school children have gone through bike safety courses.

Council is involved with and promotes a number of road safety campaigns aimed at encouraging safe practices for pedestrians, drivers and people using other modes of transport like bikes:

• Share With Care pedestrian safety campaign
• School based Travel Planning
• Walking school busses, Hikoi to School events
• Be Bright campaign cycle safety campaign
• Bikes in schools - giving equal opportunities to children to access riding a bike
• Bike skills programme With Us' in schools (Grade 1 and 2)
• Beginner riding classes for elderly, adults and E bike users
• Driver Directions - youth driving event
• Agewise and Driving On road safety education for senior drivers
• Youth Road Safety Expo - targets all Year 11 students
• AIEP - Alcohol Impairment Education programme
• Indicate' at Roundabouts campaign (doesn't commence until May)
• Driver Fatigue and distraction campaigns
• Back2School speed education campaigns
• Puppet Vision - road safety, walking and cycling shows in Schools and Early Childhood Centres