Getting there - On Foot, By Cycle - Priority 3 Part 2
Last updated on
22/06/2010 5:10 p.m.
A strategy to advance walking and cycling in New Zealand transport
February 2005
Council, agency and community collaboration a hallmark of Tawa 'Safer Roads' project
Over the next seven years, Wellington City Council expects to spend $21 million to reduce road crashes by 33% in Wellington City, under its 'Safer Roads' programme. This programme aims to improve the safety of the road environment for all road users. Safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are an important part of this, because pedestrians account for 24% of the City's road casualties, and cyclists account for 14%. The suburb of Tawa was chosen as the site for the Council's first 'Safer Roads' project in 2003.
Early on, the benefits of taking a collaborative approach in Tawa were recognised. A technical committee was established, involving Council traffic engineers, Council road safety co-ordinators, and representatives of agencies such as Transit New Zealand, the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the New Zealand Police, and Land Transport New Zealand.
Council, agency and community collaboration a hallmark of Tawa 'Safer Roads' project.
The Council didn't stop there. Strong emphases were also put on creating links with its 'Safe Routes to School' programme and on collaboration with the local community and with interest groups such as Cycle Aware Wellington and Living Streets Aotearoa. Two initial workshops with community stakeholders helped to identify what needed to be done. Individual meetings were held with groups representing pedestrians, cyclists, local residents, schools, colleges and bus companies.
The outcomes of the consultation were analysed and proposals were drawn up. These were the subject of a formal consultation, including a public meeting and development of a booklet summarising the proposals. This booklet was made widely available to residents, businesses and community groups. Of 142 formal submissions received, 135 were in general agreement with the proposals, with only seven submissions opposing them.
The project has included a strong engineering component to create a safer, more accessible environment for walking and cycling. As pedestrian and cyclist crashes tend to be spread across an area, rather than occurring only at 'black spots', an area-wide approach was taken. Measures implemented in the second half of 2004 included crossing points with central refuge islands, new and improved footpaths, speed humps and mini-roundabouts (including cycle bypass lanes) to slow traffic, and 'recommended cycle route' signs. The Council is also planning to use the procedure set out in the Speed Setting Rule to reduce the speed limit from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 kilometres per hour in some parts of Tawa.
Alongside the engineering measures, from 2005, education and enforcement measures are also planned. Education initiatives will include a focus on children and also on motorists - with motorist campaigns focused on speed limits and the use of roundabouts, as well on as raising their awareness of pedestrians and cyclists. Targeted road policing is also planned, and increased parking enforcement is already underway, targeting unsafe parking around schools and other problem spots.
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