The more cycle lanes the merrier, writes Lindsay Maw, of Dunedin.
Having returned from a lengthy trip abroad where I interacted within myriad city traffic solutions, I find it all quite interesting - these comments about bike lanes, reduction of car parks and effects to business.
Jill Guy, of the Good Earth Cafe (ODT, 9.4.14), reckons the cafe will lose at least $1000 a week as a result of motorists being unable to swing in for a drive-by flat white, which I must admit to having done so myself on numerous occasions.
I am a very regular user of inner-city parking, but I also like to bike into and around town - although perhaps not as much as I should. I can see the dilemma.
I'm sure in city planning and governance there are distinct trade-offs between the needs of today versus what should be done to create a different (and hopefully better) future.
I think maybe I would bike more if the ride was pleasant, somehow separated from all these cars zooming around looking for a place to park.
Perhaps if there were no helmet laws, I would be less likely to opt for the car because I wouldn't have to walk around town with a helmet and messed-up hair.
I think I should favour the lanes more than the parks in the debate even though I'm probably more of a parker than a biker.
I'm thinking of a future state even though I may never personally get there. I guess it's similar with the city planning staff.
I applaud the effort. I would rather live in an energetic city where civic advancement projects build towards an interesting, engaging future.
Where successes overseas are tempered with local climate and geography. Where new ideas are tested. Where leaders and business angle support to help build and prosper in that future.
I guess if I ran my own business I would perhaps try to position it more towards the biking crowd, or people who have to park and walk a ways. Perhaps, if I could, promote the whole health and environmental angle in what I was doing.
So I'm a little surprised the owner of the Good Earth isn't doing exactly that, with all its organic fare.
There are many places in the world to live. To anyone with drive and talent, the options abound.
So I think it's a mistake for Dunedin to embrace a result from the past - the state of the place today.
I just don't think that's good enough to compete for the world's talent. We should instead proceed with the bike lanes, the more the merrier. Perhaps develop free satellite car parks for people to do a little Dunedin-style park and ride.
Bike racks on buses with free Wi-Fi. A windbreak along Portsmouth Dr. Integrate the movement of people around this town in interesting ways. Spark a future. I'm glad there are people pushing for some sort of vision.
But I know that the do-nothing crowd is fierce in this town. I just didn't know it was so bad the owner of the local organic cafe is one of them.
