KiwiRail’s 5m rule threatened to derail — if not stop in its tracks — the cycle route through the Chain Hills tunnel between Wingatui and Abbotsford, a crucial link between Dunedin and places further west, including eventually into Central Otago.
The 5m stipulation between the centre of the track and the cycleway — rather than 3m — came after the Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust had already worked with KiwiRail on plans for its track, bought land, started construction and raised money.
The compromise is that at pinch points where the 5m cannot be achieved a stronger and higher fence must be built.This still seems over the top, but at least it means the track can go ahead.
Recreational cycling has boomed, as has mountain biking as a sport. The expansion of trails around the country from the long-established and flattish Otago Central Rail Trail to the likes of the rugged and single-track West Coast Old Ghost Rd provide many options.
Locals, New Zealand-wide visitors and overseas tourists have all taken to bikes to enjoy what is on offer.
Commuting by bicycle has been slower to gather pace, although there are signs of increases as it becomes safer and more desirable, even in the colder and darker months.
Given Dunedin’s topography, it could well be that electric bikes are an important slice of any progress to a cycling culture.The likes of the Wingatui link add a segment which should encourage more interest in cycling, even if mostly in this case for recreational riders.
Dunedin also had the chance to celebrate funding for the final stage of the Dunedin to Port Chalmers shared path project late last month, despite a $10million blowout in the estimated costs.The New Zealand Transport Agency announced funding had been secured for the $20million and $25million project, which would be completed by 2022.Central to this is completing the last 5km stage of the shared walking/cycling path which will run between St Leonards and Port Chalmers. This is an expensive business, although not quite on the scale of building out a new sea wall to complete parts of the path on the peninsula side of the harbour.These cycleways are flat and therefore accessible to cyclists of all abilities, including in places small children. They also take advantage of Dunedin’s glorious harbour. The run from the city to Ravensbourne and Maia is busy, notably on fine weekends.
Rail corridors provide potential routes as cycleways expand. The previous clearance seemed sufficient, and there are at present roads and other tracks closer to railway lines than that.
If 3m is not enough and something fell off a train, 5m is likely to be insufficient as well.The balance between a modicum of risk beside railway tracks and removing a few cyclists off roads favours the cycle trail. And that is not taking into account the physical and mental health benefits cycling can bring.
It must be hoped the 5m does not prove an insurmountable geographic or price barrier, or, at least, that KiwiRail is able to allow for workable compromises.
