It seems someone forgot to tell Aucklanders that it’s meant to be too cold and wet to ride a bike in winter. The latest cycleway numbers have been released by Auckland Transport and they continue to show strong growth with numbers on all routes with more than a year’s worth of data showing a 7.4% increase over July last year.

It should be pointed out that July had one extra working day compared to July 2018. Data from NIWA also shows it was also slightly warmer than normal and about as wet as usual.

As you can see, one of the top performers continues to be the NW cycleway at Kingsland and growth has been so strong on the route over the last few years that the number of trips recorded in the winter is almost as high as it was during the summer just two years ago.

While we’re on the topic of cycleways:

The Karangahape Rd Enhancements project is now well underway.

Works have started at each end of the project

The NZTA have announced they’re doing a new round of consultation on Skypath the Auckland Harbour Bridge Path.

The NZ Transport Agency is asking for more public feedback as it develops the design of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Shared Path for walking and cycling. This time we’d like to hear feedback more specifically about how the shared path will connect or “land” at Westhaven and Northcote Point. In May the Transport Agency announced its preferred design is a five-metre-wide path attached to the southbound side of the bridge. The path will directly link Westhaven to Northcote Point and connect with the planned SeaPath shared path to Takapuna. The Transport Agency is working on a Detailed Business Case to examine the path in more detail and it’s expected to go to the Transport Agency Board for approval later this year, says the Transport Agency’s Senior Manager Project Delivery, Andrew Thackwray. “In July, we held two drop-in evening events where we discussed the high-level design with stakeholders, local residents and other members of the public. We also received some useful feedback about the SeaPath project.” “We know there is significant public support for us to get on and build the shared path as quickly as possible and we are grateful for the feedback that we’ve had so far. We have heard that people generally like the five-metre width of the path and feel that it provides safe connections for users.” “We now want to share our work so far and get feedback on where the path will land and connect to the local walking and cycling networks in Westhaven and Northcote Point.” The Transport Agency has reviewed a number of options for the landings using information from technical investigations along with feedback from earlier public engagement. While the Transport Agency is not progressing the SkyPath design, it is hoping to use the consents already granted for the SkyPath design option. The Transport Agency has assessed three options for the landings at Westhaven and Northcote Point: Option one: Consented ramps that are part of the SkyPath design

Option two: Ramps that are specifically designed to connect with the new part of the path

Option three: Lift and stairs combination The outcome of the assessment work so far is an emerging design with ramps that is an enhanced version of the consented SkyPath design. “These new ramps represent a safe, well designed and cost-effective way for all users of the path to access the it easily and safely while taking into account impacts on the local areas at each end,” says Mr Thackwray. The project team is looking forward to sharing the landing options with cyclists, walkers and local communities on both sides of the bridge. Drop-in sessions will be held at: Tuesday 20 August 3.45 – 5.45pm

Northcote War Memorial Hall

2 Rodney Street, Northcote Point Tuesday 20 August 7 – 9pm

Glenfield Community Centre

Cnr Bentley Ave & Glenfield Rd, Glenfield Thursday 22 August 5 – 7.30pm

Ponsonby Primary School Hall

44 Curran St, Herne Bay The two-week public feedback period will run from 21 August to 4 September.

A bit further south, later this month the NZTA will start installing a new $7 million, 106.5 metre curved pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Southern motorway as part of the long running Southern Corridor project.

The steel bridge will be 3.1m wide and stand at least 6.2m above the motorway traffic lanes. It will be painted black, but at night will have white up-lighting and safety lighting.

The new bridge will link into a new a 4.5 km shared path being formed on the western side of the motorway between the Papakura and Takanini interchanges. On both sides of the motorway, the bridge will connect to existing coastal paths beside the Manukau Harbour and Pahurehure Inlet, and also to local road footpaths. “The connected network of pathways will provide people with improved access to schools, work, local community destinations and the wider transport system. This investment will help to deliver safer and healthier streets for Aucklanders, supporting the development of more liveable communities.”

I can’t help but wonder where else we could use some $7 million waling and cycling bridges to help reconnect communities. A few more street re-connections in the Central Motorway junction?

In the coming months we’re expecting to see construction start on a number of new projects including:

New bridges across SH1 at Northcote to complete the Northcote Safe Routes

The extension of the Quay St cycleway along Tamaki Dr to Ngapipi

The Avondale to New Lynn cycleway alongside the rail line and new bridge across the Whau river.

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