Selwyn’s newest cycleway is now ready to ride.
The new Rolleston to Lincoln cycleway was completed in late August and provides a 9km off road link between Selwyn’s two largest townships.
Local children JT Mailau and Isla McKay enjoy the new smooth Selwyn District cycleway.
Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe says the Council was pleased to receive $300,000 funding for the cycleway from the government’s new Urban Cycleways Fund. This funding was supported by $400,000 from the NZ Transport Agency and $300,000 from the Council. The cycleway is funded as part of the Urban Cycleways Programme, comprising shared investment from the Urban Cycleways Fund, the National Land Transport Fund and the Council. This enables key, high-value urban cycling projects to get underway around the country over the next three years, improving cycle safety and supporting more connected cycle networks. The cycleway had originally been programmed to be developed in 2022.
Currently a number of school children commute to Lincoln from Rolleston to attend Lincoln High School, and many people also travel between the towns for work, education or leisure. The cycleway completes the council’s plan to provide a range of safe transport options to link these townships together. The cycleway development follows a roading upgrade of Springston Rolleston Road and the provision of Metro bus services by Environment Canterbury.
The new cycleway runs along Lowes Road, Lincoln Rolleston Road and Boundary Road. From Lincoln, cyclists can connect to the existing Railtrail path which runs from Lincoln to Christchurch and Little River.
Transport Minister Hon Simon Bridges officially launched the cycleway at an event in Christchurch marking the completion of the Rolleston to Lincoln Cycleway and the Matai Street East section of the Uni-Cycle route. These are the first cycleways to be opened in the South Island through the Urban Cycleways Programme.
"There is a strong commitment in Canterbury to generating a significant modal shift to cycling and these connections will ultimately form part of the wider Canterbury network for pedestrians and cyclists," says Minister Bridges.
NZ Transport Agency Regional Director, Jim Harland said cycling was about having fun, being fit and making roads better for everyone – every cyclist made the roads safer and generated space on the roads. Separated cycleways helped encourage people towards cycling because they felt safe. “We’re delighted to support these cycleways through the Urban Cycleways Programme. They provide a safer and more attractive transport choice and we would love to see people thinking about taking their bikes as their first thought for everyday work and school journeys.”
Mayor Coe says the council is planning to develop more cycleways within the next few years, with new cycleways planned between:
For Minister of Transport Simon Bridges media statement, open this link(external link).
For the Christchurch City Council media release check this link(external link).
For more information, check this link(external link).
For Matai St photos taken this afternoon, 28 August, email Frances Adank (below) or Ross.pringle@ccc.govt.nz
