City to Sea Pathway Avondale Road Crossing

Submission from Spokes Canterbury

Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/city-sea-pathway-avondale-road-crossing

Tēnā koutou katoa

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the City to Sea Pathway Avondale Road Crossing.

Introduction

Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,200 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas. Spokes has a long history of advocacy in this space including writing submissions, presenting to councils, and working collaboratively with others in the active transport space. We focus on the need for safe cycling for those aged 8 to 80. Spokes also supports all forms of active transport, public transport, and has an interest in environmental matters.

Proposal

Spokes supports:

• the dual cyclist and pedestrian crossing.
• the priority given to pedestrians and cyclists. Too often priority is given to on-road traffic.
• the green paint that shows the curb cuts for cyclists to get on and off the path.
• the speed humps to slow traffic down.
• the red paint to make the crossing more visible to traffic.
• the flashing lights for crossing for better visibility, particularly in low light scenarios.

Other comments:

• Spokes is aware that legally the council cannot combine dual mode crossings. This is a pity as there is a risk that pedestrians will change sides on the path in anticipation of the crossing without checking behind them for cyclists. The best option would be a crossing where both pedestrians and cyclists cross on the left on a legal pedestrian/cyclist crossing. Staying left is better for pedestrians with physical or visual impairment, and more predictable for cyclists who need to carefully navigate around slower moving and more vulnerable users. Some cyclists on this path will also be young or inexperienced, and may not be able to react quickly to unexpected changes in direction from other users.
• The similar dual crossing at Ilam Fields (since the humps were added) has worked very well mainly because pedestrians and cyclists take a pragmatic approach to where they cross depending on their destination and the volume of other users rather than strictly staying on the pedestrian or cycle side. Some additional pedestrian pavers might help on both sides of the Avondale Road crossing given this type of behaviour is likely there as well.
• There needs to be additional speed monitoring and enforcement in the first three months after the new crossing is opened to ensure all traffic gives way to people using the crossing.

I would like the opportunity to present to the Community Board on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.

Submissions Coordinator

Spokes Canterbury

submissions@spokes.org.nz