Approving a $2 billion cycling plan will allow Auckland to follow in the footsteps of major european cities, a cycling advocate says.
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Auckland council is voting today on a $2 billion cycling plan that would double the number of cycleways in the city.
"It's just not safe and that's why people have not transitioned across yet" - Bike Auckland chair
Bike Auckland chair Tony Mitchell told Morning Report over half of Aucklanders would ride more if it was safe to do so.
"It's just not safe and that's why people have not transitioned across yet and the plan that's in front of the council will help complete that infrastructure."
He said the plan followed a tried and tested path used in european cities such as Paris, London, and Greater Manchester.
"They've implemented this same plan, rolled it out and they've seen the transition... ten percent of their trips are conducted by bike."
Auckland Council had set a goal of achieving seven percent of trips being completed by bike with the current level only representing one percent of all trips in the city.
Mitchell said this was due to a lack of infrastructure to protect cyclists.
"People do not want to get out on bikes if it's not safe. By safe we're meaning there needs to be a rumble strip or a small concrete barrier that protects cyclists from the cars, otherwise you won't get people out commuting to work."
He said cycling infrastructure spending made up a small percentage of transport expenditure.
Part of the $2b in funding for cycling infrastructure consisted of a $306m package that was approved in 2019 before the roll out was delayed due to the pandemic, Mitchell said.
Behavioural change initiatives would be considered as part of the plan which could see learn to ride programmes in schools and enforcement efforts to clamp down on cars endangering cyclists.
"It's not just about bikes, if Auckland is going to hit the emissions target we need public transport, we need people walking and we also need cars to play a role as well it's going to be a complete team effort."
"Aucklanders don't want to cycle I think that is clear" - Auckland Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson, Josh Van Veen
Auckland Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Josh Van Veen said not one cent more should be spent on cycleways.
"Aucklanders don't want to cycle I think that is clear from the massive investment that has been poured into cycling here in Auckland," Van Veen said.
With one percent of daily trips currently completed by bike, he said the council's aim to increase this to seven percent by 2030 represented a "bad return on investment".
The aim of the project's business plan is to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and increasing safety for cyclists is simply an additional aim, he said.
Van Veen said the money would be better spent on decarbonising the public transport network.