Wellingtonians are being asked to share their thoughts and local knowledge as planning gets under way to develop safer bike connections in the suburbs of Berhampore, Newtown and Mt Cook.

Wellingtonians are being asked to share their thoughts on cycleways through the suburbs of Berhampore, Newtown and Mt Cook.

Wellington City Council's next bike lanes project, Newtown Connections, is part of the council's plan to gradually develop a citywide cycle network in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency and Government.

As planning for potential route options gets under way, the council is asking people who live or regularly travel through the suburbs, to share their thoughts and local knowledge .

SUPPLIED Wellington City Council's Newtown Connections Project is part of the council's plan to gradually develop a citywide cycle network in partnership with the NZ Transport Agency and the Government.

The project will also take into account any plans announced through the Let's Get Wellington Moving project, as well as planned bus network changes, which are due to start soon.

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It is not the first time cycleways for these suburbs have been mooted.

Supplied A map outlining the Newtown Connections project area.

A proposed route to connect the Island Bay cycleway came under fire from residents and businesses last year for being impractical and dangerous.

A Citizens' Advisory Panel also made route recommendations in 2014, which the council will now review as part of its new project.

It will also look at views expressed as part of the Our Town Newtown project and feedback provided at St Anne's Hall last year.

SUPPLIED A proposed route to connect the Island Bay cycleway came under fire from residents and businesses last year for being impractical and dangerous.

Councillor Sarah Free, who leads the cycling portfolio, stressed no preferred routes or options were on the table and it was a new process.

The aim was to provide improved facilities that would make it possible for more people of all ages and abilities to choose to make some trips by bike.

The council was taking a fresh look at all the possibilities, and will use the information gathered during the next six weeks to help come up with options for consideration later in the year.

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Last year Berhampore businesses said they could not afford to lose car parks if a cycleway was put in.

Cycle Aware Wellington spokesman Patrick Morgan believed the council was desperate not to repeat the mistakes it made with Island Bay - and this time was having an open conversation with the community.

More people were commuting by bike and it was great to see the council restart its work in the suburbs, he said.

"They have got political tailwind, the Government is keen to work with the council to deliver safe and attractive biking."

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Last year, Natty business owners Cat McKay and Fiona Gibb said they were all for a cycleway, but believed the road was too narrow in the Berhampore shopping area.

Morgan, who lives in Newtown, said the streets were often hostile and it could be a scary place for people on bikes.

It was time to kick the shared bus and bike lane on Adelaide Rd to the kerb, he said.

The council has earmarked $70 million for cycling network improvements in its draft 10-year plan.

The first four years of the proposed budget includes walking and cycling connections in the Eastern suburbs and the Miramar town centre. The latter years include the southern suburbs, connecting Newtown, Berhampore and Island Bay.

The initial feedback phase for Newtown Connections is open and will close July 17. It will be the first of three opportunities the community will have over the next nine to 12 months, to help shape the changes in their neighbourhood.

All public feedback will be given to the design team to help narrow down the options into a short list for public consultation in late 2018.