The new bicycle lanes along State Highway 1 in Dunedin, aimed at making the southern city a healthier and safer place to live, will officially be opened Friday morning* this week.
The $8 million, NZ Transport Agency project, which began construction towards the end of 2017, runs through central and north Dunedin.
North Dunedin MP, the Hon Dr David Clark, is officially opening the cycleway with representatives of the NZ Transport Agency, Dunedin City Council and other people involved with the project.
“Long term measures to improve cycling safety were needed on the Dunedin one-way system, following the tragic death of a cyclist on this route in 2011 and another in 2012 and these cycle lanes deliver on that,” says Jim Harland, Transport Agency Director Regional Relationships.
The new cycle lanes aim to reduce the number of crashes involving cyclists on this busy route, used by around 25,000 vehicles a day.
“Key features of the cycle lane design include traffic islands to safely keep people on bikes and highway traffic apart,” says Mr Harland.
The cycle lanes also cater for motorists and pedestrians. Parking bays have been integrated into the design in high parking demand areas especially in the CBD. New pedestrian signals on the one-way system outside Toitū Otago Settlers Museum make it easier and safer for people to walk to the museum. New traffic signals at the Howe Street intersection increase safety for both cyclists and drivers.
“The new cycle lanes create better biking linkages to central city locations including the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic and Dunedin Hospital.
“This project will help to save lives by prioritising cyclists’ safety as well as improving safety for pedestrians.”
More information about the project can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/dunedin-one-way-system-cycle
Dunedin one-way system separated cycle lanes
Dedicated cycle crossing signals are a feature of the new bicycle lanes:
People biking near Otago University, North Dunedin:
* Official opening is at 11 am, Friday, 1 March, at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum Auditorium, 31 Queens Gardens, just south of the Dunedin Railway Station.
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