Getting There - On Foot, By Cycle - Priority 5

A strategy to advance walking and cycling in New Zealand transport

February 2005

Provide supportive environments for walking and cycling in existing communities

Enhancing the existing road network for walking and cycling

Within an existing road network, different types of roads are likely to lend themselves to different solutions.

On quieter local streets it may be possible to calm traffic in order to slow motor-vehicle traffic speeds or to create streets that encourage cars to share road space so that streets can be safely used by a variety of users.

On busy roads, the challenge may be to ensure pedestrians can cross roads safely and conveniently and cyclists can successfully navigate intersections.

On strategic routes, including state highways that run through local communities, particular care needs to be taken to integrate these into local pedestrian and cycle networks so they do not become barriers to walking and cycling.

Where space or re-development allows, new cycle paths and walkways separate from the road network can also be considered. From a transport perspective, the ultimate benefit of such facilities is likely to rely on how well they can add value to or be integrated into the existing road network.

Where longer-distance walking and cycling routes transcend local boundaries, collaboration between local road controlling authorities is required to maximise continuous networks and route consistency

Why? 

Most of us will continue to live in existing communities and use existing transport networks to move around. It is therefore important that existing communities - and the transport networks within these - support walking and cycling.

Making existing communities more supportive can range from addressing safety at a few key sites for current users to undertaking a comprehensive review of a community's transport environment from the perspective of walking and cycling, taking into account the needs of both current and potential users.

To increase walking and cycling, it is necessary to consider enhancements that 'invite' rather than simply 'accommodate' pedestrians and cyclists. Solutions need to consider the full range of potential users - including, for walking, those with disabilities, limited mobility and other special needs.

A wide range of measures for walking and cycling can be considered in improving existing communities. Some measures are likely to focus on the physical road network (see box insert), but others could include:

• improvements to street amenities (such as shade trees or street lighting)
• provision of complimentary and end-use facilities (such as rest benches and sign-posting of pedestrian links for walkers, safe off-road facilities for new cyclists and secure cycle parking for cyclists)
• considering transport demand management policies (such as parking provision) to increase the desirability of walking, cycling and public transport in relation to private motor vehicle use
• changes to traffic management practices (such as longer pedestrian phases at traffic signals) to support improved access for pedestrians and cyclists
• review of asset management plans to ensure maintenance issues associated with walking and cycling facilities are addressed
• encouraging public transport organisations to improve linkages for cycling and public transportenc
• ouraging key destinations (such as schools, leisure centres and workplaces) to provide appropriate end-use facilities (such as lockers, showers, and secure bike parking)
• enforcement and education measures to address other road user behaviour that impacts on cyclists and pedestrians (such as parking on cycle lanes or footpaths or travelling at high speeds)
• supporting local, regional and national initiatives to reduce vehicle emissions.

A key opportunity for walking and cycling is provided by recent requirements on councils to develop Long Term Council Community Plans.

As interest from communities grows, a challenge nationally and for road controlling authorities will be to find ways of prioritising efforts to provide walk-and-cycle-friendly environments.

Desired outcome

Over time, increasing numbers of existing New Zealand communities will provide environments that support and encourage walking and cycling

How? 

International and local experience indicates that the following types of action will help to achieve this outcome:

• Best-practice technical standards, service guidelines and auditing tools for cycling and walking are used to guide planning and design of community walking and cycling networks and facilities, informed by early consultation with users.
• Local walking and cycling strategies identify a systematic programme to improve walking and cycling conditions in priority communities.
• Pilots are undertaken to assess the potential benefits and costs of retrofitting different types of existing communities to promote increased walking and cycling (for example inner city, medium density, and traditional suburb communities).
• 'Liveable' community initiatives, neighbourhood and inner city renewal programmes, and main street re-development projects incorporate best-practice standards for walking
• and cycling.
• A co-ordinated and collaborative approach to walking and cycling is undertaken between Transit NZ and local road controlling authorities and between neighbouring local authorities.
• Broader council planning processes that impact on the walking and cycling environment (such as asset management plans, parks and recreation strategies, planning for city
• safety, lighting strategies and parking enforcement strategies) are aligned to support walking and cycling

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• Walking and Cycling as Strategy Launched

Download the:

• Strategy Document (PDF v7.0, 2156kb)  
• Questions and Answers (PDF v7.0, 35kb) 
• Report on Consultation (PDF v7.0, 200kb)