Wider cycle lanes just the first stage

More cycle lanes throughout central Dunedin are likely to be widened by the New Zealand Transport Agency, which, in June or July, also plans to seek consultation on more drastic safety improvements.

The NZTA and Dunedin City Council started a review of cycle safety through Dunedin, focusing on the pair of one-way systems along State Highway 1.

They received more than 50 informal submissions from Dunedin cyclists, prompting a list of potential options for further consideration.

NZTA projects team leader Simon Underwood said the most immediate priorities included a re-marked road layout, resulting in wider cycle lanes.

''It's not an entirely simple task as the whole marked layout needs to change to enable this, and removing of existing markings is more problematic than application of new markings. But we are seeking to progress this as quickly as we can.''

Recent resurfacing on parts of the one-way systems had meant cycle lanes could be widened to 2.4m and the NZTA indicated it would look at doing the same where necessary and possible.

There was also a need to deter motorists from ''weaving'' across cycle lanes, particularly in the Queens Garden, Jetty St overbridge and Andersons Bay areas, Mr Underwood said.

Bollards installed on SH1 at the road curve near the Leviathan Hotel had helped control motor vehicle encroachment into cycle lanes, he said.

''We need to be careful how these [bollards] are applied because motorists will need to move across the cycle lane at some point when turning left.''

Other immediate priorities were the ''milling'' of high lip areas where the build-up of seal adjacent to the kerb resulted in poor parking, and a review of parking in ''discrete'' locations.

While such measures were undertaken, the NZTA and the council would also consider long-term improvement options, Mr Underwood said.

There was a particular need to provide for increased and safer cycling along three ''links'' - Northeast Valley to the harbour area, gardens area to the city, and the Oval to the city, the hospital and the university.

''The investigation into these will involve a broader range of treatments, including separated cycle facilities.

''A key part of this task will be matching those solutions most effective with what is most practically accommodated within the roading network,'' he said.

''In most locations there is little or no option in regard to completely off-road treatments.''

A whole-of-community approach had to be taken, Mr Underwood said.

''Our aim is to have some proposals on the table for consultation in June or July.''

Permanent changes to the Anzac Ave and Castle St intersection, for improved pedestrian and cycle safety, were due to be completed by July.

- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz