If cycling is to flourish in Auckland, it will need some nourishment.
There is plenty of money being spent on transport. Unfortunately, as we already know, almost all of it goes into sustaining our addiction to cars. It’s not a case of blowing budgets. It is simply about priorities and influence.
It’s becoming rather too obvious. The minister is not playing by the rules. How can a roading project with a minimal BCR* get the go ahead over other transport projects that deliver far greater benefits.
And it has just occurred to me that the use of water is perhaps not the best choice for an analogy. Water evaporates. Unlike a car with one occupant. All the motorways in the world will not be a panacea to our transport woes. Quite the opposite, in fact. Where do cars go when they exit a motorway?
If the Minister was playing fairly, he would be putting his efforts into these projects. Providing alternatives….cycling is one alternative that comes to mind. It’s great to see the Auckland Council under Len Brown’s leadership, embrace this new reality.
*BCR-a term that refers to the economic return relative to financial outlay. It is used for determining the priority of transport projects.
cycling/freedom
