Cycling in Palmerston North contributes to improving transport options, providing a more efficient and integrated transport network, improving health, economic and social outcomes and city liveability.
Due to its flat terrain and existing on-road cycle network, Palmerston North has one of the highest rates of commuter cycling in New Zealand. With a regional goal of being ‘the best place to ride a bike,’ significant investment is planned over the next three years to complete key connections on the cycle network.
The Urban Cycleways Fund helped accelerate a new pedestrian and cycle bridge that links the main residential areas and CBD with Linton Military Camp, the Crown Research Institutes and Massey University, south of the Manawatu River. It also contributed to underpasses, connecting the Mangaone shared path.
The Manawatu River Bridge and shared path project provides a new 6.6km off-road cycle path and bridge over the Manawatu River, linking Linton Military Camp, the Crown Research Institutes and Massey University to the CBD and main residential areas. The new bridge and shared path provide a safer and direct cycling route option for residents, workers and students to access work and educational centres south of the river. The cycling facilities will help to encourage people to choose to cycle, with sections of the route providing safer access away from the high-speed traffic along the state highway.
The Mangaone underpass complete the Mangaone shared path network, providing access to schools and residential areas west of the city. They provide an alternative and safer route for cyclists that avoids two major road crossings. This improves the connectivity of the route and will encourage more people to cycle to the schools and suburbs along the way.
Read more information about this path on the Palmerston North City Council website(external link)
Download the Palmerston North Urban Cycleways map [PDF, 920 KB]
For the latest project updates visit the Palmerston North City Council website(external link)
Download the January 2015 launch factsheet for Longburn Cycleway [PDF, 564 KB]
