The one-way system's separated cycle lanes are the responsibility of the New Zealand Transport Agency. But Dunedin City Council is nevertheless inescapably involved. Craig Borley talked to Mayor Dave Cull about the project.
ODT: Are you happy with the likely timeframes of this project, with the best case scenario having the cycle lanes up and running in two years' time?
Mayor: If you go back and look at why we asked NZTA to do this work, it was always about safety. So we wanted it to be done as soon as possible.
But I understand it has to go through these processes.
The sooner it gets put in place the better. But it's got to be right.
ODT: Are you satisfied the one-way system is the best option for central city cycle route?
Mayor: We've gone through a lot of analysis and I'll be guided by the NZTA experts on this.
There are very few options through the middle of town and there are pros and cons for all of them.
It's about safety and efficiency. Our community has been saying over a number of years: `We want a more comprehensive safe cycle network', and clearly this is the trunk through the middle of it.
ODT: The proposals show world-class separated cycle lanes through the middle of Dunedin. Will infrastructure like that enable the city to market and position itself differently?
Mayor: I've just listened to the ex lord mayor of Adelaide [at the Local Government NZ conference in Rotorua]. He said `here [Adelaide] we have a city well serviced by cycleways and heritage buildings - why wouldn't you want to go there'.
So within New Zealand, after we've completed this, we will have a unique offering.
ODT: Parking issues have dominated criticism of these particular cycle lanes. Specifically, the Otago Museum stands to be considerably affected. How will that be mitigated?
Mayor: In a way it is [badly affected]. After the business case is completed we'll sit down and figure out how we can mitigate that.
We're confident that we can mitigate any parking losses, and we may end up in a better position in terms of the number of car parks.
