Cycleways is an area where we have ambition to seriously lift our game – we’d like to build a network of connected and safe cycleways that allows Wellingtonians to be able to choose cycling as a mode of transport.
What's the background to this decision?
We want to speedup the rollout of a network of safe bike paths, lanes and connections. The aim is for more Wellingtonians to make some trips by bike, or choose cycling as their main mode of transport. Our full programme for the cycle network is attransportprojects.org.nz.If all of the routes were progressed, would cost $226m across the 10 years of this plan.
We know that to meet our carbon zero goals and, make Wellington a more liveable city we need to change the way we move around our city. Transport is one of the biggest contributors to Wellington's carbon emissions. The community is telling us to make this a priority, so we are.
There are four options
Option 1: Finish Started Projects
Option 2: Medium Investment
Option 3: High Investment (preferred)
Option 4: Accelerated Full Programme
Option 1 includes finishing the eastern connections route, including the connection into Miramar and the Evans Bay coastal route in the first three years of the plan
This option is a medium level of investment but, is still a reduced programme compared to Option 3 and 4. the option would see the Council:
completing what we have started in Option 1; and
allocate $500,000 each year for minor improvements and tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as key form of transport
Option three is a prioritised full programme. The aim is complete $120m of that programme during the next decade. This includes:
$1m per year for minor improvements; and
tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as a key form of transport.
This would be 60 percent ($45m) increase in funding over what was allocated in the 2018 Long-term Plan
This option includes our full $226m programme. The aim is to complete the programme during the next decade. It includes the same $1m per year and tactical projects as in option 3. New cycleways projects will be prioritised in year 1. Delivery would begin from year 2. These routes would include the cycleways detailed in the detailed pro and cons below. There are also risks to consider:
significant uncertainty on the option's affordability; and
the ability of the sector to deliver such a large programme of work
Capital cost and debt impact: $29m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $39m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $120m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $226m (over 10 years)
Rates change: 0.67% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.69% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.76% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 1.31% 3 year average increase
These options have pros and cons, and are outlined in more detail here.
Our preferred option
Our preferred option is option 3 high Investment which is $120m of the full $226m programme (option 4) in this decade. This is a $45m or 60 percent increase in funding for cycleways than what was planned in the previous Long-Term Plan We believe Option 3 balances the need for increased investment in this area with what is affordable for the Council and what we will be able to deliver. There will also be additional cycleways delivered as part of Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
Cycleways is an area where we have ambition to seriously lift our game – we’d like to build a network of connected and safe cycleways that allows Wellingtonians to be able to choose cycling as a mode of transport.
What's the background to this decision?
We want to speedup the rollout of a network of safe bike paths, lanes and connections. The aim is for more Wellingtonians to make some trips by bike, or choose cycling as their main mode of transport. Our full programme for the cycle network is attransportprojects.org.nz.If all of the routes were progressed, would cost $226m across the 10 years of this plan.
We know that to meet our carbon zero goals and, make Wellington a more liveable city we need to change the way we move around our city. Transport is one of the biggest contributors to Wellington's carbon emissions. The community is telling us to make this a priority, so we are.
There are four options
Option 1: Finish Started Projects
Option 2: Medium Investment
Option 3: High Investment (preferred)
Option 4: Accelerated Full Programme
Option 1 includes finishing the eastern connections route, including the connection into Miramar and the Evans Bay coastal route in the first three years of the plan
This option is a medium level of investment but, is still a reduced programme compared to Option 3 and 4. the option would see the Council:
completing what we have started in Option 1; and
allocate $500,000 each year for minor improvements and tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as key form of transport
Option three is a prioritised full programme. The aim is complete $120m of that programme during the next decade. This includes:
$1m per year for minor improvements; and
tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as a key form of transport.
This would be 60 percent ($45m) increase in funding over what was allocated in the 2018 Long-term Plan
This option includes our full $226m programme. The aim is to complete the programme during the next decade. It includes the same $1m per year and tactical projects as in option 3. New cycleways projects will be prioritised in year 1. Delivery would begin from year 2. These routes would include the cycleways detailed in the detailed pro and cons below. There are also risks to consider:
significant uncertainty on the option's affordability; and
the ability of the sector to deliver such a large programme of work
Capital cost and debt impact: $29m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $39m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $120m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $226m (over 10 years)
Rates change: 0.67% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.69% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.76% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 1.31% 3 year average increase
These options have pros and cons, and are outlined in more detail here.
Our preferred option
Our preferred option is option 3 high Investment which is $120m of the full $226m programme (option 4) in this decade. This is a $45m or 60 percent increase in funding for cycleways than what was planned in the previous Long-Term Plan We believe Option 3 balances the need for increased investment in this area with what is affordable for the Council and what we will be able to deliver. There will also be additional cycleways delivered as part of Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
Check the FAQ's above on the right of this page as well as other questions below - your question may already have an answer.
Please be concise and respectful in asking questions - we will do our best to respond promptly - often by the next working day. Some answers may however take a bit longer to get the details right. We monitor the site from 8:30am - 5pm Monday to Friday
Hi there, I also question the cost nature of cycle ways sometimes and often a gripe of those against them. I have just used the brooklyn hil cycle lane on my bike and although it may be a tad narrower so the hard done by cars could have a more spacious lane - i think the approach of getting temp / painted cycle routes in place ast could be a fantastic way to get routes in place and starting to make our roads safer for all asap while the larger spend comes later on - I think this is a good approach.
Matt1972
asked
almost 3 years ago
Hi Matt1972,
Thank you for your comment and interest in the plan.
We agree that in some places and situations, lower-cost changes can be an option, but as a Council we also have to take a whole range of things into consideration when we are looking to invest and make changes in an area. So it is a balance.
An example is the Cobham Dr project. The coastal area adjacent to Cobham Drive is a key recreational and commuter route, but also a gateway to the city. It is also part of Te Aranui o Pōneke/the Great Harbour Way and a significant area for iwi. The project involved making things safer and easier for people on bikes, but it was also about making it a safer, easier and more attractive place for people on foot. The work was carried out in tandem with extensive coastal protection work, which was necessary to help protect the new paths and the road, and to clean up and improve the environment in this area.
Nga mihi
Amy
What is the intention in the plan re the Island Bay cycleway and the extension of it through Berhampore?
Susan Leon
asked
almost 3 years ago
Kia ora Susan,
Here is the response from the cycleways team.
The extension through to Berhampore and the city is something that is now expected to be planned and developed by the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme in conjunction with other changes to this key public transport route. Mass transit through to Island Bay is a possibility.
With regard to Island Bay, Councillors agreed in February this year that some planned routine road resealing work on The Parade should to be brought forward to later this year, and some safety improvements carried out at the same time, including removing any remaining traces of old road markings and putting in some form of physical (rather than painted) buffer between the car parking spaces and the bike lane. The community will get to provide feedback on the traffic resolutions that will be required to make some of these changes.
Aside from that, it depends what Councillors decide in June when they consider the community feedback on this and other aspects of the draft plan, likely future wider transport changes, and all the other things they need to take into account and prioritise.
Under option 2 in the draft Long-term Plan, and their preferred option 3, a funding bracket of $6 million is included for additional work on The Parade but not for a few years. Further upgrade work would be at least three years away. $6 million is enough to make some further significant improvements but wouldn’t be enough to do what was approved in 2017. That work was never carried out because more detailed planning showed extensive and expensive drainage changes would be required to build the approved design, and repeated attempts to source the additional funding required were not successful. The work is estimated to cost about $14m. Option 4 – the full accelerated programme – is the only one that would see more extensive work happen sooner (in years 1-3), and provide enough funding to potentially build the previously approved design.
Nga mihi
Amy
Building of a short cycleway along Oriental Bay between Freyberg Pool and Waitangi Park (250m) took about a year, costs like made from gold and result is of awful quality. Cyclists who are using it every day (like me) are complaining to puddles problems over for three years already. That makes it almost unusable for daily commute to work (it's main purpose), because you'll be all covered in mud splash. That's why most of the cyclists/scooters have to bypass it by pedestrian side (that is unsafe and sometimes even dangerous). The worst part is that these pools of water stay for days after the rain, when all other asphalt places are completely dry. ALL other old parts of the route are nice and dry, but that new small cycle path is dirty and rough. We've been told that it will be fixed in 2019, but nothing changed. Is there any timeline to fix this problem? And hope new cycleways will be of better quality.
peet
asked
almost 3 years ago
Kia ora peet,
Our cycleways team has said that work to rectify these drainage problems will happen this year.
Nga mihi
Amy
Why is option 3 the preferred option if option 4 is the one that will provide a safe cycleway network for people from all ages (8-80) and all abilities?
We need to ensure that our most vulnerable people are able to cycle to their destinations (schools, local community amenities), instead of just providing commuter corridors for the people who are already confident in cycling. Yes, the cycling commuters (I am one) deserve better, but accelerate the implementation of the entire cycling network if we want to ensure the next generation of adults will choose cycling instead of driving because that's what they are used to and is actually safe.
Pablo
asked
almost 3 years ago
Kia ora Pablo,
Here is the response from our cycleways team.
Pressure on city budgets means the Council has had to make some extremely hard decisions this year on what’s in and what’s out of its draft 10-year plan, and when things should happen. Councillors also have to factor in the wider transport planning under way through the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme.
In choosing preferred options, they take into account all the different things they need to prioritise, and what affect different investment or spending approaches will have on rates and debt levels. They are committed to continuing to develop a safe, connected network of paths and lanes for all the reasons you outline. The hard decisions they will make in June are about how fast that can happen in the context of all the other priorities.
Nga mihi
Amy
Please option 4. E need a citywide cycleways network as soon as possible. For climate change, health and easing pressure on our roads. Progress has been far too slow!
KHof
asked
almost 3 years ago
Kia Ora KHof,
Thank you for your comments and interest in our plan.
Nga mihi
Amy
How much money has the council already spent on cycleways and cycling over the last ten years (in today's dollars)?
Don M
asked
about 3 years ago
Kia ora Dom M,
Sorry for the delay. Here is the information from our Finance team.
These numbers are actual spend, NOT inflated to today’s dollar.
Financial year
10/11
11/12
12/13
13/14
14/15
15/16
16/17
17/18
18/19
19/20
Actual Spend
626,755
1,041,638
1,109,626
1,686,002
2,427,703
3,289,000
3,922,688
7,570,666
11,508,631
12,226,666
Nga mihi
Amy
Will any of the increased cycleway budget be put into ensuring alignment of road, curb and channel renewals with the cycleway network, so that renewals don't lay new pavement, curb or lines that are in conflict with the full future cycleway network?
abartlet
asked
about 3 years ago
Kia ora abartlet,
Sorry for the delay in getting a response for you. The comment below is from the Transport team.
Doing routine road maintenance in a way that will assist us to make future improvements and build a safe, connected network for people on bikes makes sense. It is something we do consider, and will be looking to do more often in future where we can. Changes like this can sometimes be substantially funded through normal renewal costs. A top-up may be required at times. This would likely be funded through our cycleways budgets.
Nga mihi
Amy
Option 3 indicates $6m of expenditure for the Island Bay upgrade vs option 4 which suggests $14m - what's the difference due to?
Harry
asked
almost 3 years ago
Kia ora Harry,
Sorry for the delay in getting you a response.
The $6m is the same as the previous amount the Council budgeted for The Parade upgrade.
The $14m is the estimated cost of completing the option the Council approved in 2017.
Nga mihi
Amy
what is the anticipated cost of upgrading shelly bay road for walking/cycling?
Flora
asked
about 3 years ago
Kia ora Flora,
Apologies for the delay in this response.
There have been no decisions have been made on design for the upgrade of the Shelly Bay Rd, so therefore there are no cost estimates at this stage.
Nga mihi
Amy
Not a question but please keep improving the cycle lanes towards Newlands, Johnsonville and beyond. Even if the lanes were significantly improved we need better line of sight on the descent (southbound) and some way to prevent trucks from littering the path with stones from the quarry. The new shared path behind the gorge is quite the zig zag (slow with lots of sudden braking) and I see most Newlands cyclists at 7am not using it either.
CyclingIsTheFuture
asked
almost 3 years ago
Thank you CyclingIsTheFuture for your comments and interest in our plans.
Decision 3 - Building more cycleways is currently at this stage
You can now make a submission on the Long-term Plan.
during the next five weeks we will be out and about in your community – and come and say hi! View the full schedule
Oral hearings and forums
this is an upcoming stage for Decision 3 - Building more cycleways
Public consultation on the 10-year Plan is closed for evaluation and review. We are also conducting oral hearings and forums for those who said they wished to be heard. These will take place from 6 May to 20 May.
The team will report back on key outcomes by the end of May.
Council deliberations
this is an upcoming stage for Decision 3 - Building more cycleways
Council will debate the final Long-term Plan at an Annual Plan/Long-term Plann committee meeting on May 27.
Final Plan to Council
this is an upcoming stage for Decision 3 - Building more cycleways
The final plan, based on submissions and decisions made at deliberations on May 27, will be adopted by Council on 30 June.
