Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/parksbylaw
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Parks and Reserves Bylaw 2025.
Introduction
Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,300 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 understands from conversations with Council staff that the intent of the Parks and Reserves Bylaw is that cyclists can use, with appropriate care, any formed path (asphalt or gravel) in parks and reserves unless otherwise stated.
When this bylaw was last revised there were no official shared cycle/pedestrian paths like, for example, the ones in Hagley Park. This wording is now causing confusion for cyclists as they think of “shared paths” as formal shared cycle paths rather than the many formed paths in parks and reserves which have no signage. Spokes has had a number of requests from cyclists to approach Council to get the bylaw changed to allow them to legally bike on formed paths as they have misinterpreted the bylaw.
The following is some suggested wording changes to the draft bylaw. Spokes would like to see the bylaw separate out motor vehicle traffic from active transport devices like bikes as this would help clear up any confusion.
Definitions
It may help clarity in the bylaw to split the definition of vehicle into three categories. These categories can then be used in the rest of the bylaw. “Active transport device” is a little vague and staff will likely think of a better way to express this while retaining the intent.
Vehicle
(a) means a man-made device for land transport, including, but not limited to cars, trucks, heavy machinery, and motorbikes, bicycles, electric bicycle, scooters, electric scooters and other electric mobility devices and includes associated towing devices, including, but not limited to trailers and carriages;
(b) active transport devices including but not limited to bicycles, electric bicycle, cargo bikes, scooters, electric scooters and other mobility devices, and small associated towing devices, but
(c) does not include prams, strollers, wheelchairs or other mobility scooters or devices used by persons with physical or neurological impairment.
6. Behaviour in Parks and Reserves
(1) No person in a park or reserve may
(a) intentionally obstruct, disturb, or interfere with any other person’s use or enjoyment of a park or reserve; or
(b) drive or ride a vehicle or active transport device within any park or reserve area where vehicles or active transport devices are allowed in a manner, which having regard to all the circumstances of the case, is or might be dangerous to the public or to any person.
8. Vehicles, Vessels and Mechanical devices
1) No person may drive, ride, or otherwise bring any vehicle into a park or reserve, except-
a) on any part of the park or reserve set aside by the Council for vehicular traffic (for example, driveways, parking areas, shared paths or cycle tracks), and then only in accordance with any controls or restrictions imposed by the Council; or
b) where permission has been granted by an Authorised Officer.
2) A person may ride or otherwise use an active transport device, including a bicycle,
a) on any formed path or track (asphalt or gravel) in accordance with any controls or restrictions imposed by the Council; or
b) where permission has been granted by an Authorised Officer.
3) No person may without the permission of an Authorised Officer —
a) stop or leave any vehicle so that the vehicle obstructs an entrance to, or path or track in, the park or reserve; or
b) park any vehicle, other than a bicycle, electric bicycle, scooter or electric scooter, in any park or reserve except in a place set aside by the Council for the parking of vehicles, and unless the person in control of the vehicle intends to remain in the reserve while the vehicle is parked.
It may also be useful to define a hierarchy of users in the bylaw with the most vulnerable having priority.
Spokes is happy with all other changes.
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
