Marlborough Express: Council gets moving on cycle strategy

Marlborough’s cycling strategy has kicked off - with a consultation period looking for feedback on how to get more people pedalling in the district. The strategy could see marked cycle lanes and allocated cycle space at intersections, off-street cycle paths, cycle routes on low volume roads and wide paved shoulders for cyclists on more heavy volume open roads. It will also look at engineering, such as road width, intersections, marking, road surface and gradient and will help cyclists negotiate often dangerous open roads safely.

The drive for the strategy comes from local and central Government, from public demand, environmental concerns, need for exercise opportunities and reducing traffic congestion. The Marlborough District Council, along with Marlborough Roads and Bike Walk Marlborough, has started implementing Marlborough’s Walking and Cycling Strategy. Council strategic planner Susan Lilley has been appointed to facilitate the community consultation for a number of projects planned in the lower Wairau over the next six months, until April next year.

“Cycling in Marlborough is declining and a lack of safe, on-road cycle facilities may be a perceived barrier to people choosing to cycle to work,” she said. On-road commuter cycling routes are planned between southern Blenheim residential areas and the central business area. It may involve street treatment and landscaping that enhances the appearance of streets, improves safety and promotes pedestrian and cycle use while maintaining local traffic flows. To increase the cycle network, the council will look at developing more paths along waterways around Blenheim and linking up with surrounding townships. The emphasis will be on connecting reserves and recreational spaces.

It is also investigating off-road links between townships, working with OnTrack and other landowners. Marlborough Roads manager Frank Porter said the strategy was looking to provide some better commuter cycling opportunities, as opposed to the more recreational and sporting side of things. “Our first inroad into cycling has got to be with commuter cycling and trying to get people on to bikes and to make cycling easier around town.” Mr Porter said that on the busier roads the smoother hot mix had been laid in some areas which would make it easier for cyclists.

It was hard to put a finger on how many people cycled in Blenheim and some fixed points were starting to be measured at various times of the year, he said. While the strategy was initially aimed at commuters, Cuddon Cycling Marlborough chairman Graham Henderson said he was keen to see the end of rough tarseal on Marlborough’s roads. He said places such as Paynters Rd were “as rough as hell”, and while motorists might not notice the difference, it was certainly noticeable on bicycles.

Mr Henderson also said the raised cats eyes between Blenheim and Picton, which were a danger to cyclists, and had been responsible for two crashes and two broken collarbones this year. Council asset and services manager Mark Wheeler said the priority was to develop a more effective safe cycle route for south Marlborough to the Blenheim CBD. The walking and cycling strategy contained a long list of future projects which would be worked through as resourcing and budgets permitted.

Mr Wheeler said a cycleway between Blenheim and Spring Creek alongside the railway could be looked at, but was not budgeted at present. “We are identifying opportunities only.”

Ms Lilley can be contacted at the council on 520 7400 after November 5, or she can be reached on email susan.lilley@marlborough.govt.nz.