New cycle lanes planned for Waimairi Road will help improve road safety as the number of cyclists using the Uni-Cycle route in the city’s west climbs.

The Christchurch City Council today has approved the installation of the lanes on both sides of the road – between Maidstone Road and Peer Street – following a recommendation from the Waipuna/Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board.

Council Urban Development and Transport Committee Chairperson Mike Davidson says nearly 300 cyclists use Waimairi Road each day, including many university and school students.

“These new cycle lanes will make the road safer for cyclists and motorists alike, with the number of cyclists using the Uni-Cycle Route, which crosses Waimairi Road at Dovedale Avenue, increasing by up to 20 per cent annually,” Cr Davidson says.

“More people favour safer, lower-traffic suburbs and the ease of travel found by opting for a bike over a car.

“By installing these new cycle lanes, we hope to encourage people to leave the car at home and bike to work or university and more students to cycle to school.

“By delivering a safer environment, we can also take the pressure off our busy streets.”

The Community Board has already approved the removal of on-street parking on the east side of Waimairi Road between Peer Street and Dovedale Avenue – along with sections on the west side north of Dovedale Avenue up to Maidstone Road – to accommodate the cycle lanes.

It has also backed the introduction of weekday P120 parking restrictions for the remaining on-street parking spaces along Waimairi Road – between Peer Street and Maidstone Road – from 8am to 6pm, March to November.

The cycle lanes will be in place later next year, in tandem with work to resurface Waimairi Road.