Road-testing city cycle lanes

The Star reporter Dan Hutchinson prepares to cycle to work. Photo from The Star
The Star reporter Dan Hutchinson prepares to cycle to work. Photo from The Star

With all the work on cycle lanes in South Dunedin and various visions for a cycling city, floating about, The Star reporter Dan Hutchinson decided to dust off the bike and give it a go.

''Dusting off the bike'' does not adequately describe what I had to do to mine before setting off on this grand experiment.

It has been a few years since the bike was last used - the inner tubes made a crackling noise when I inflated them and a fair amount of CRC was needed on the gears, chain and cables. The dusting was done with a scouring pad and a can of black spray paint.

That done, I was ready for the road and Thursday last week marked the beginning of my metamorphosis into a cyclist.

I live in Forbury Rd so the most efficient way to get to the Allied Press building in lower Stuart St is straight down Macandrew Rd and Portsmouth Dr and over the footbridge to the railway station.

''Weird'' best describes how I felt as I rolled off down the road - a bit exposed and feeling slightly out of place - but the physical act of riding a bike really is something you never forget.

My backpack has a bit of reflectorised stuff on it but it is immediately clear I am under-dressed, based on the high-visibility vests being worn by other cyclists along the way.

Macandrew Rd has all the hazards I could have dreamed of at morning rush hour - parents dropping off school kids, commuters and a crazy intersection at King Edward St.

Once in Midland St, where generous cycle lanes border the road on both sides, the contrast is amazing - I feel much safer in my own lane.

I am assured the cycle lane network will stretch closer to home in the future.

Portsmouth Dr is even better: a separated, shared cycle and pedestrian lane completely removed from the vehicle traffic - magic.

This peters out the closer it gets to town, unless you can hook into the shared path on the other side of the road but it is still possible to keep clear of the traffic most of the way, and the trip along the harbourside is a great way to start the day.

It took just 18 minutes to make the 5km journey, compared with 15 minutes to drive in, park the car in the closest free parking zone and walk five minutes to work - so there is nothing in it really.

I decided to have a chat with Dunedin City Council Safe and Sustainable travel co-ordinator Charlotte Flaherty about some handy tips for new cyclists.

She said the best thing cyclists could do was to ''think like a motorist'' and she gave the same advice to motorists: ''think like a cyclist''.

After three rides to work and back I think I will definitely keep it up. The one thing I would recommend - a well-padded seat.


CYCLING TIPS

- Avoid riding up the inside of left-turning vehicles at intersections.

- Signal before changing lanes.

- Check for people in cars - car doors opening can be lethal.

- Check over your shoulder before pulling out around cars and doors or changing lanes.


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