Speed limits surrounding Te Kaha
Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/tekahaspeeds
July 2025 – 2nd consultation
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Speed limits surrounding Te Kaha.
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 Overview
Spokes would like to see the already consulted on and approved speed limits be implemented. There are evidence-based safety reasons for the 30m/h speed limits, with the added advantage that this speed encourages a more vibrant community centre that supports active transport including walking and cycling. Sadly, we acknowledge that Council is unable to proceed with the sensible 30 km/h changes due to rule changes by the current government so we have to make the best of the remaining options.
Council should take into account the needs of regular users of this space, including cyclists, as well as people attending events at Te Kaha. This includes students and staff travelling to Ara, staff at large businesses in the area, and people using the various restaurants and entertainment in the area.
Spokes supports:
- Retaining the 10km/h speed limit on Lichfield Street (between Madras and Manchester Streets) as previously approved. The tram, vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians will share this newly redeveloped area, so a slower speed will help to keep everyone safe. It will allow cyclists more time to take care around the tram tracks. The new street layout is already designed to facilitate this speed limit.
- The reductions from 50 km/h to 40 km/h as it is a safety improvement to leaving the speed limits 50 km/h, on Madras St, Babadoes St, Lichfield St, Tuam St and Duke Street.
- The very short section on Hereford Street made sense when it extended the 30km/h limit. At 40 km/h it will likely annoy people to the point where going from 30 km/h to 40 km/h and then to 50 km/h in a very short space may be ineffective. Plus all the associated signage will be distracting. This applies in particular to traffic travelling down Hereford Street. Spokes will support the recommendations of the CCC traffic engineers if they think the 40km/h limit on this short section adds to safety for all.
- The St Asaph Street 40 km/h section should be extended to Barbadoes St, or at least another 20m east, so traffic has actually slowed before it reaches the Madras St intersection. This is a busy intersection for cyclists and pedestrians going to Ara, east/west and into the city centre. St Asaph also has great night life at Space Academy, Darkroom etc. which would benefit from 40 km/h.
I would like the opportunity to present to the Christchurch City Council on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz
Speed limits surrounding Te Kaha
Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/tekahaspeeds
July 2025 – 2nd consultation
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Speed limits surrounding Te Kaha.
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 Overview
Spokes would like to see the already consulted on and approved speed limits be implemented. There are evidence-based safety reasons for the 30m/h speed limits, with the added advantage that this speed encourages a more vibrant community centre that supports active transport including walking and cycling. Sadly, we acknowledge that Council is unable to proceed with the sensible 30 km/h changes due to rule changes by the current government so we have to make the best of the remaining options.
Council should take into account the needs of regular users of this space, including cyclists, as well as people attending events at Te Kaha. This includes students and staff travelling to Ara, staff at large businesses in the area, and people using the various restaurants and entertainment in the area.
Spokes supports:
- Retaining the 10km/h speed limit on Lichfield Street (between Madras and Manchester Streets) as previously approved. The tram, vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians will share this newly redeveloped area, so a slower speed will help to keep everyone safe. It will allow cyclists more time to take care around the tram tracks. The new street layout is already designed to facilitate this speed limit.
- The reductions from 50 km/h to 40 km/h as it is a safety improvement to leaving the speed limits 50 km/h, on Madras St, Babadoes St, Lichfield St, Tuam St and Duke Street.
- The very short section on Hereford Street made sense when it extended the 30km/h limit. At 40 km/h it will likely annoy people to the point where going from 30 km/h to 40 km/h and then to 50 km/h in a very short space may be ineffective. Plus all the associated signage will be distracting. This applies in particular to traffic travelling down Hereford Street. Spokes will support the recommendations of the CCC traffic engineers if they think the 40km/h limit on this short section adds to safety for all.
- The St Asaph Street 40 km/h section should be extended to Barbadoes St, or at least another 20m east, so traffic has actually slowed before it reaches the Madras St intersection. This is a busy intersection for cyclists and pedestrians going to Ara, east/west and into the city centre. St Asaph also has great night life at Space Academy, Darkroom etc. which would benefit from 40 km/h.
I would like the opportunity to present to the Christchurch City Council on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz
Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/tekahaspeeds
July 2025 – 2nd consultation
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Speed limits surrounding Te Kaha.
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 Overview
Spokes would like to see the already consulted on and approved speed limits be implemented. There are evidence-based safety reasons for the 30m/h speed limits, with the added advantage that this speed encourages a more vibrant community centre that supports active transport including walking and cycling. Sadly, we acknowledge that Council is unable to proceed with the sensible 30 km/h changes due to rule changes by the current government so we have to make the best of the remaining options.
Council should take into account the needs of regular users of this space, including cyclists, as well as people attending events at Te Kaha. This includes students and staff travelling to Ara, staff at large businesses in the area, and people using the various restaurants and entertainment in the area.
Spokes supports:
- Retaining the 10km/h speed limit on Lichfield Street (between Madras and Manchester Streets) as previously approved. The tram, vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians will share this newly redeveloped area, so a slower speed will help to keep everyone safe. It will allow cyclists more time to take care around the tram tracks. The new street layout is already designed to facilitate this speed limit.
- The reductions from 50 km/h to 40 km/h as it is a safety improvement to leaving the speed limits 50 km/h, on Madras St, Babadoes St, Lichfield St, Tuam St and Duke Street.
- The very short section on Hereford Street made sense when it extended the 30km/h limit. At 40 km/h it will likely annoy people to the point where going from 30 km/h to 40 km/h and then to 50 km/h in a very short space may be ineffective. Plus all the associated signage will be distracting. This applies in particular to traffic travelling down Hereford Street. Spokes will support the recommendations of the CCC traffic engineers if they think the 40km/h limit on this short section adds to safety for all.
- The St Asaph Street 40 km/h section should be extended to Barbadoes St, or at least another 20m east, so traffic has actually slowed before it reaches the Madras St intersection. This is a busy intersection for cyclists and pedestrians going to Ara, east/west and into the city centre. St Asaph also has great night life at Space Academy, Darkroom etc. which would benefit from 40 km/h.
I would like the opportunity to present to the Christchurch City Council on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz
