Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/bryndwrroad
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Bryndwr Road Renewal project.
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
Bryndwr Road is a normally quiet cut through between Ilam and Glandovey Roads for cyclists. It is also a popular cut through for children cycling to school to Fendalton Primary, St Patricks and Christchurch Boys High. The area has a lot of elderly, some using mobility scooters, who are slow crossing the road. You have to watch out for them at the Jeffreys Road intersection in particular. Bryndwr Road has got busier lately with vehicles moving faster than before but this is probably due to the roadworks on Wairakei Road.
Overall Spokes supports:
- The Road redesign. The current camber, particularly between Ilam and Jeffreys Roads, makes it difficult for less confident cyclists or those on three wheeled bikes. (It is also difficult to get out of a car when parked).
- The renewal of the footpaths and road surfaces, which are in poor condition.
- The renewal of the kerb and channel, which is in poor condition.
Spokes Recommendations:
- Make the street more inviting to all users by slowing speeds, making the street more pedestrian and cycle friendly, encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use other forms of active transport.
- Could Bryndwr Road have some modal filters installed to still enable waking and cycles to traverse through the area:
- Some amenities could be installed (like park benches and trees) to improve the area at the same time.
- Some traffic calming could be installed on the road to encourage slower speeds and sharrows to show that the space should be shared.
- Upgrade the speed humps at Ilam, Jeffreys and Glandovey Roads. The current ones are not slowing speeds and some vehicles are actually going faster to go over them. They are either sited too close to the intersection or should be converted into courtesy crossings.
- Put in a Stop sign at Glandovey Road. (see Glandovey Road, Idris Road consultation).
- Keep the existing wide path near the shops at Jeffreys Road.
- Better bike stands at the shops would be appreciated.
- Provide a kerb cutdown at the alleyway between #29 and #33 Bryndwr Road.
- The intersections at Newall Ave & Wai-Iti Tce should be narrowed.
- When the opportunity arises, reduce the speed to 30 km/h.
- Put in a treatment to make it easier to cross the road on a mobility scooter on Bryndwr Road just east of Jeffreys Road (heading to the Fendalton Library)
- There is a pedestrian crossing/cut-down with two metal plates taking up half the space that are likely to be slippery when wet.
- There are no low-vision treatments at any of the intersections for pedestrians.
- Look at adding trees to create some traffic calming (like on Rountree St).
I would like the opportunity to talk to the Waimāero Community Board or staff about this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Coordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz