Transport options  |  25 Jul 2019

Christchurch’s city centre is going to be made safer and more accessible for cyclists.

A person biking besides the tram tracks.

A project to address the safety risk associated with the tram tracks is part of package of cycle improvement projects approved by the Council.

Christchurch City Council has agreed that work can begin on a package of projects that will address cyclists’ safety concerns in the central city and improve the connections between the major cycleways.

Extra bike parking will also be provided as part of the package, which will be funded through the $1.2 million budget previously allocated for a bike share scheme in the city. The Council made the decision last year that as funding for the bike share scheme was no longer required, it would be used instead to fund cycle improvement projects.

“Staff have identified a number of small projects that can be done around the central city that could make a big difference to cyclists’ safety and lead to more people being willing to go by bike,’’ says Cr Pauline Cotter, Chair of the Council’s Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee.

“We want to make the central city much safer and more accessible for cyclists and we think the projects approved today will help achieve that,’’ Cr Cotter says.

The projects include addressing the safety risks associated with the tram tracks, particuarly near the Rolleston Avenue/Armagh Street intersection, identifying areas where kerb levels are too steep and need to be cut down, and improving the safety of cyclists around the entrance to the Justice Precinct. These three projects have been identified as priorities.

The projects will be planned and worked on over the next 18 months.