Spring has arrived, and with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours making the conditions for bike-riding more attractive, the NZ Transport Agency is urging motorists to be on the look-out for people riding bikes, and for everyone to share the road safely.
Transport Agency National Cycling Manager Dougal List says the change of seasons and the change to daylight savings at the end of the month will see more people using pedal-power to get around town, and the Agency is committed to making those journeys safer.
“We’re working to make urban cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice for people. A key part of that is improving attitudes towards cycling, and building mutual respect between people cycling and other road users.
“We’re also working with councils and others to provide safer cycling networks in all our main urban centres, and along with the Ministry of Transport we are implementing the recommendations from the New Zealand Cycling Safety Panel, including investigating mandatory minimum passing distances and side under-run protection for trucks.”
Mr List says that the Transport Agency is also supporting the Government's Urban Cycleways Programme with significant investment through the National Land Transport Fund, as well as delivering cycling projects as part of the State Highway network.
It is anticipated that the total cycling investment over the next three years, including indirect investment from other infrastructure activities, will be about $350m. This will deliver over 300km of new urban cycleways and greater connection between routes, making cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice.
