New website for NTCA

The new NTCA website is being hosted on the CAN site:

http://can.org.nz/northtaranaki

We will keep this blogspot site open for sometime until the content is migrated across to the new website.

NTCA local group meeting was on 5th Nov.

The NTCA committee held its November meeting on the 5th. Patrick Morgan, the CAN Project Manager came along as well as Axel Wilke, the Co-Chairperson of the CAN executive team and Andrew Macbeth from Spokes Canterbury.

Axel and Andrew were in town to attend the Transportation Conference and to present the "Fundamentals of Planning and Design for Cycling" course.

Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 5.30 pm at the P&P conference room, Level 5, Atkinson Building, Devon St West.

Cheers
NTCA Committee

Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade Ride on 28th Sept

NPDC's Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade document is comprehensive. To help look at the content, I went for a ride on Sunday 28th Sept to look at what is proposed for Wallace Place, Tukapa Street, Frankley Road, Carrington Street and Hori Street.

Wallace Place:

• From Morley St to Tukapa St: Ranked #29th. The improvements recommended are; Mark green cycle lanes on insides of the bends.

The green cycle lane marking should be as per the proposed layouts for the green cycle lane trial which has green lanes on both sides of Wallace Place through this section.

Tukapa Street:

• From Wallace Place to Julian Street: Ranked 30th. The improvements recommended are; Green cycle lane marking through the Westown shopping centre and the David St, Clawton St, Borrell Av. and Waimea St intersections.

The green cycle lane marking should be as per the proposed layouts for the green cycle lane trial which has green lanes on both sides. The Borrell Av. intersection probably not needed for the green paint.

The cycle lanes leading to Francis Douglas Memorial College end at Julian Street. These need to be extended up to FDMC, may need parking restrictions, bus stop set backs and narrower footpaths and a green cycle lane across the intersection with Omata Road on the west side of Tukapa St.

I then went and had a cup of tea with a friend in Waimea St and then carried on via some off-road tracks to Frankley Road.

Frankley Road:

• From Clawton Street to the Dawson Street roundabout: Ranked 24th. The improvements recommended are; Parking prohibitions on both sides for 280m south from roundabout then on one side south to Clawton St.

Cycle lane signs are needed on both sides and cycle lane markings are needed through Maratahu St, Glen Park Av. and Clawton St intersections. Signs back from the roundabout are required to warn vehicles to allow for cyclists on the roundabout.

I then went around the roundabout and headed down and up Mill Road to get to Carrington St. I then rode south towards the Vogeltown shops then turned left into and headed down Hori St to the roundabout at the intersection on Brooklands Road.

Hori Street:

• From Brooklands Road to Carrington Street; Ranked 34th. The improvements recommended are; 50m of cycle lane extension at the western end to take the cycle lanes through to Carrington St.

The large roudabout at Brooklands road looks difficult for cyclists, it should comply with the latest best practice re lane markings.

Carrington Street:

• From Huatoki Street to Holsworthy Road; Ranked 32nd. The improvements recommended are; Nothing.

Cycle lane markings are needed through the Mill Road intersection and through the Hori Street intersection to the end of the section.

• From Holsworthy Road to Courtenay Street; Ranked 20th. The improvements recommended are; Setting back kerbs on one side from Mill Rd to Shortland St, Parking prohibitions both sides from Shortland St to Victoria Rd, Set back kerbs both sides from Victoria St to Courtenay St, Green cycle lane markings across the Victoria adn Pendarves St intersections.

Cycle lane is very narrow at the shops on the west side by Mill Road. A planter box outside one of the shops takes cycle lane space. The cycle lane on the east side is narrow at the south end of this section. The parking prohibition both sides from Shortland St to Victoria Road is probably too severe. Need some set back parking bays from Mill Road to around #88 then prohibit parking down to Flight Place. From Flight Place to Victoria Rd, need some parking south of the narrow road section and the P120 zone for the Rest Home.

Well that was all the rides done during September and most of the sections reviewed.

Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade Sunday Ride on 21st Sept

NPDC's Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade document is comprehensive. To help look at the content, 2 of us went for a ride on Sunday 21st Sept to look at what is proposed for Eliot Street, Coronation Avenue and Mangorei Road. We also looked at the the various works on Mangorei Road subsequent to the audit undertaken last year by one of our members.

Eliot Street:

• From Leach St to Rogan St: Ranked #23rd. The improvements recommended are; Set back the kerb on the west side south of Leach St; Set back the kerb from Pendarves St to Cameron St; Recess the bus stop on the east side between Cameron St and Rogan St; Mark cycle lanes green at major conflict points; Mark cycle lanes south of Leach St.

There appears to be a bus stop north of Pendarves St on the east side that needs to be set back too if used. Cycle lanes need to be continuous from Leach St through to those on the hill leading up to Boys High.

Coronation Avenue:

• From Rogan St to Maranui St: Ranked #17th. The improvements recommended are; Remove parking on the western side of Coronation Av; Construct two recessed bus bays; Reconfigure pavement marking.

Parking should be restricted at all time on the western side. Cycle lanes need to be marked on both sides. Looks like there should be 3 bus bays set back, not two.

• From Maranui St to Welbourne Terrace: Ranked #14th. The improvements recommended are; Narrow flush median over full length to 1.8 m; Narrow traffic lanes to 3.0 m; Mark 1.8 m cycle lanes; Mark cycle lanes green at Cumberland St and where Coronation Avenue veers to right off SH3.

Off-road cycle path just past Welbourne Terrace not well sign posted. How those going into town who come off this path get across Coronation Avenue to the cycle lane on the west side is not clear. How do the school children get across to go to Welbourne and to Highlands Intermediate? Install a new pedestrian crossing on the south side of the Coronation Avenue/SH3intersection? The pinch point as cyclists coming into town on SH3 caused by the southern extent of kerbing needs to be sorted with NZTA.

We then headed back down Coronation Avenue and then went down Cumberland Steet to get to Mangorei Road:

Once on Mangorei Road we headed south for a way. We were looking at the initial cycle audit carried out in March 2007 and the works that have happened since to see what has gone in and what has gone. Apex reviewed the audit and the current NPDC work plans and submitted their findings in a letter to the NPDC late November 2007. A copy of their letter was taken with us on the ride.

• The issues raised for Mangorei Rd south of Cumberland St were to do with glass in the cycle lanes, shared parking/cycle lane and fragmentation of the cycle lanes.

This section of Mangorei Rd didn't make it into the top 38 sections for the first stage of the Cycle Network Upgrade. The initial response from NPDC in May 2007 indicated that these cycle lane issues would be considered as part of the network upgrade. Seeing this stretch of Mangorei Rd didn't score high enough to make the cut off mark of an overall weighted score of 70%, these issues will remain. The uneven surfacing issue raised would be covered in the next scheduled re-seal, likely within the next 5 years.

• From Cumberland St to Kauri St; The issues raised were; Protruding bus stop by the Shell garage on west side; Cycle lane disappears on west side north of the Stumble Inn; Cycle lane narrows on east side near the Shell garage.

This section of Mangorei Rd didn't make it past the cut off point for the first stage of the Cycle Network Upgrade either. However, part of the review of our audit, certain work was indicated that it would be done.

The bus stop has gone. Parking prohibition exists on the east side; A cycle lane from Cumberland St to the Stumble Inn was there, 1.8m if measured from inside white line to face of kerb )1.55 m of rideable lane; 3.0 m traffic lanes put in with 3.1 m for parked vehicles and cycles north of the Stumble Inn. This was to be reveiwed after installation to see if could further mark this zone with 2.0 m car parking and 1.1 m cycle lanes. Not sure if this review has been undertaken, additional marking not in as yet but were seen to be needed during our ride.

Mangorei Road:

• From Kauri St to Devon Street East: Ranked #12th. The improvements recommended are; Recessed parking bays near Awanui St and Turehu St; Re-align the right turn bay into Awanui St; Re-configure the road markings from Warangi St to south of Turehu St; Green cycle lane markings at Devon St East, Northgate, Rimu St and Awanui St.

The audit highlighted issues with the junctions at Northgate, Rimu St, Awanui St, Union St and Kauri St within this section of the road network. Also with the section of road from Te Mete Park to Awanui St on the west side where the cycle lane narrows and vehicles cut the corner. Also on the east side from #129 south the cycle lane and car parking share space, so if vehicle is parked, there is no cycle lane.

Better cycle lane markings are thus also needed at both the Union St and Kauri St intersections on top of what is proposed in the upgrade. This should happen with the next stage of the Mangorei Road Rehabilitation Project in the summer of 2008/2009 = need to confirm that this is happening with the NPDC roading team.

The Northgate intersection is on a State Highway so is the responsibility of the NZ Transport Agency. The proposed changes for this have been reviewed by NTCA and the designers have gone back to the drawing board. In the meantime, the Upgrade Report assumes that cyclists will either take the lane and cross within the existing traffic lanes or dismount and cross using the pedestrian signals.

The current plan appears to give cyclists the following:

• 1.8 m cycle lanes both sides from Devon St East to Northgate.
• Complex intersection at Northgate.
• 1.5 m cycle lane on east side and 0.95 m lane on west side from outside #43 Mangorei Rd to pedestrian crossing outside Girls High.
• 1.2 m cycle lane on east side and 1.5 m lane on west side from pedestrian crossing outside Girls High to outside #63 Mangorei Rd.
• 1.4 m cycle lane on east side and 1.5 m lane on west side from #63 Mangorei Rd to Warangi St.
• 1.6 m cycle lanes both sides from Warangi St to Awanui St.
• 1.5 m cycle lanes both sides through the Awanui St intersection.
• 1.7 m cycle lanes both sides from Awanui St to Kauri St.
• 1.1 m cycle lanes both sides from Kauri St to the Merrilands Shopping Centre.
• 1.6 m cycle lanes both sides from the Merrilands Shopping Centre to Turakina St.
• Intermittent cycle lanes both sides south of Turakina St of aproximately 1.1 m width.

Is this good enough for Mangorei Rd?

Depends on what NZTA come up with for the intersection with Northgate and the cycle lanes immediately south of the interesection. Also the 0.95 m and 1.1 m lanes are too narrow.

Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade Sunday Ride on 14th Sept

NPDC's Draft Cycle Network Infrastructure Upgrade document is comprehensive. To help look at the content, 3 of us went for a ride on Sunday 14th Sept to look at what is proposed for St Aubyn St and Devon Street West.

Courtenay Street:

• From Eliot St to Hobson St: Ranked #25th. The improvements recommended are; Mark cycles 50 m each side at Hobson St end; Mark cycle lanes green at high use entrances and at the start and finish of the section.

General agreement was reached that the route for the cycle lanes as Courtenay St transitions into Hobson St and Northgate was very confusing. Layout for these need to be seen before detailed comments could be made but agree with the intent of the improvements.

Northgate:

• From Courtenay St to Watson St: Ranked #26th. The improvements recommended are; Mark green cycle lanes at conflict areas of Courtenay St and Watson St.

Again it was unclear what was to be marked as cycle lanes and what would also be be green cycle lanes. Layout for these need to be seen before detailed comments could be made so we couldn't comment. What young cyclists and those not confident at crossing lanes of traffic could do here didnt seem to be addressed.

One option could be for east bound cyclists is to carry on down Hobson St to meet Lemon St and then head east to go on the off road cycle path on the south side of Northgate, crossing Mangorei Rd at the lights and carrying on up to Waiwaka Terrace. This would be a two stage process of crossing traffic lanes, one for those on Hobson St wanting to head west on Leach St and then across SH3 for those heading west from Northgate onto Leach St. Not ideal.

• From Watson St to Waiwaka Terrace: Ranked #3rd highest requiring upgrading. The improvements recommended are; Mark cycle lane around Watson St/Lemon St to encourage west heading cyclists to go down Lemon St; Improve the kerb crossing at this bend; Ban parking on north side east of Mangorei Rd; Narrow solid median east of parking ban; Mark green cycle lanes at each end and Girls High entry to off-road section of cycle path.

Needs to tie in with the suggested changes to the Mangorei Rd/Northgate intersection being discussed with NZTA in Wanganui. Not all cyclists using this section of the road are willing to go on the off-road path.

• From Waiwaka Terrace to Ngaio Street: Ranked #13th. The improvements recommended are; Narrow solid median full length of section; Mark cycle lanes full length.

Road width for cycle lane is definitely needed. Not clear what was intended for east bound cyclists at the end of the off-road path at Waiwaka Terrace. We headed down Waiwaka Tce, turned left into Paynters Av, then turned right and went down the slip road back onto SH3 heading east. Alternatively one could go along Paynters Av a bit more then go down the off-road path that goes behind St John Bosco School and brings one down into a car park at the junction of Devon St East, Northgate and Devon Road.

• From Ngaio Street to Devon Street East: Ranked #7th. The improvements recomended are; Realign approach lanes to traffic signals at Devon St East; Mark green cycle lanes; Straight ahead cyclists to cross over left turning lane at signals.

Cycle lanes OK from Ngaio St through. Improvements needed as one comes up to the lights at the intersection with Devon St East. The cycle lane markings etc at this point need to be integrated with the changes needed to allow cyclists to move onto the footpaths on either side of the Waiwhakaiho River Bridge. This work is waiting on NZTA getting a design they can live with plus find the funds for the work to put removable barriers between the insides of the footpaths either side and the roadway.

Devon Road:

• From the Waiwhakaiho River Bridge to Atiawa Street: Ranked #6th. The improvements will be part of the the NZTA work as per above for the conversion of the two footpaths on the bridge to shared pathways.

No problems with this apart from the time it is taking NZTA to come up with the design, money and installation.

• From Atiawa Street to Katere Road: Ranked 22nd. The improvements recommended are set back the kerb on the south side through to Bridle Street; Narrow the flush median from Bridle Street to Smart Road; Set back the kerb on both sides from Smart Road to Katere Road; Mark green cylce lanes at Smart Road and at Katere Road.

General agreement that solution was OK and required.

• From Katere Road to Vickers Road: Ranked 18th. The improvements recommended are set back the kerb on one south side; Narrow the solid median; Mark cylce lanes throughout.

General agreement that solution was OK and required as no cycle lanes exist at present. Would need for those heading east to have signage telling them how to get onto the off-road cycle path going up the Mangaone Hill just past Vickers Road that would be coming up.

• From Vickers Road to the bottom of the Mangaone Hill: Ranked 10th. The improvements are part of the work being undertaken presently for the start of the Bell Block By-pass; Cycle lanes up both sides plus an off-road cycle path on the north side that will head into Bell Block along the existing road to Bell Block that will become an access road to the golf club once the by-pass is opened.

General agreement that solution was OK and required. After that, we headed back towards Fitzroy and went down Devon Street East.

Devon Street East:

• From Northgate to Strandon Place: Ranked #15th. The improvements recommended are; Reduce width of traffic lanes to 3.0 m whereever this no median strip, mark cycle lanes on west approach to traffic signals at main Fitzroy junction; Green cycle lane markings at these lights.

Not clear from report whether cycle lanes were to be installed for the section on the east of the traffic lights, these are definitely needed, especially for those heading west as vehicles veering left can cut the corner and squeeze cyclists into the gutter. 1.8 m cycle lanes required full length and green marking needed at the lights.

• From Strandon Place to Mangorei Road: Ranked #16th. The improvements recommended are; Reduce width of traffic lanes to 3.0 m; Reduce width of flush median; Mark cycle lanes; Green cycle lane markings at high conflict areas.

General agreement that solution was OK and required.

• From Mangorei Road to Eliot Street: Ranked #9th. The improvements recommended are; Extend cycle lanes by 50 m to Eliot Street lights; Green cycle lane markings on approaches to traffic lights with stopping boxes.

No mention made of Hobson Street lights and what would be proposed there. Same needed here as well what is proposed for Eliot Street lights. Otherwise OK. We then headed over to Molesworth Street to have a look at Section No. 40.

Molesworth Street:

• From Eliot Street to Liardet Street: Ranked #31st. The improvements recommended are; Extend cycle lanes by 60 m to Liardet Street lights; Remove the solid splitter island and replace the traffic signal pole in the middle of the road with an overhead mast arm; Green cycle lane markings at major conflict points.

This section leads into the first piece of road looked at the previous week that was ranked #1 in the need for improvement. The road is generally wider in this section and the are cycle lanes except at the Liardet St lights which is where the road does get narrower. So the improvements at the lights look OK. Need sign posting and a method for getting access onto the Coastal Foreshore pathway.

Update on NPDC's sustainable transport, cycling and walking initiatives

The NPDC gave an update on sustainable transport, cycling and walking initiatives for the New Plymouth district.

This was at the council chambers, Tuesday 30th September.

They covered:

• Progress on the cycle strategy and future plans.
• Introduced Nathaniel Benefield and his role as the Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator.
• The council's work place travel plan, electric bikes, ride sharing etc.
• The new Govt Dept, NZTA and how this may affect current and future projects.
• Walking Strategy progress.
• Walking Advocacy.
• Future plans for World Car Free Day and Bike Wise Week 2009.

Critical Mass bike rides to start!

When:
The last Friday of every month at 5.15 pm. With the weather now better, the first one is this month on 26th September.

So NTCA invites you all, bring along your friends and family and your bikes.

Where to meet at start:
In front of the Puke Ariki Library in Brougham Street.

What is a Critical Mass ride?
See http://criticalmass.org.nz/ or http://www.critical-mass.info/ for detailed information, but borrowing heavily from the NZ Critical Mass site:

Critical Mass is a spontaneous, leaderless bicycle ride that occurs on the last Friday of every month in almost every major city in the world. It is regarded by many participants as celebrations of self-powered transportation as opposed to a protest or organised demonstration.

What is meant to happen?
The purpose of critical Mass is not formalised beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and travelling en masse through the city streets. So those who turn up on the day will decide on where the ride will go and for how long etc.

What to expect and how to react:
Critical Mass is a celebration of cycling in order to assert our right to the road and not about denying others their right to use it.

You may slow down or even block the traffic by joining a Critical Mass ride, though cyclists are traffic themselves. To achieve mutual consideration on the road it is important to address motorists with respect and creativity:

• Leave at least one lane open for cars when you are not riding on a one lane road.
• Stay calm and friendly, especially towards motorists that get pissed off about the delay. Apologies, smiles will win more than arguments and power plays.
• Critical Mass is a coincidence with no leader or organisation but it means communication and cooperation.
• You are fully responsible for the things you do and their consequences, although poorly thought out moves could affect the whole group and perception by the public.

History:
Critical Mass emerged in September 1992 in San Francisco when 48 people gathered for the so called "Commute Clot". The ride increased in size every month and by the time 1993 came about, around 500 cyclists joined the event in San Francisco. Furthermore, the idea spread between cities, countries and continents. The cycling minority became visible to the rest of society.

The name "critical mass" was inspired by Ted White's documentary "Return of the Scorcher" dealing with bike culture overseas. In this film the human powered vehicle designer George Bliss describes a typical scene in China: at intersections without signals bicyclists slowly amass, until a sufficient "critical mass" accumulates to cause cross traffic to yield which gives them power to move. This term was applied by participants after the first ride in San Francisco.