Apparently, this road is part of an official cycle route.
When I rode my bicycle on Sunday, I was reminded once again of the pleasure, joy and utility that cycling in Auckland brings. It was sunny but not too hot. It was calm with a hint of a breeze. I rode my bicycle from the centre of my Universe in Mt Roskill to the social hub of Kingsland.
My journey started in Keith Hay Park, along the wide cycle path. It cut through the local schools and linked up with the south to city ‘cycle route‘. I crossed Mt Albert Rd like a pedestrian at the signalised crossing. I ignored the stares from motorists as I cycled slowly along the footpath for the 50 metres to where the ‘cycle route’ begins on Parau St.
This route weaves its way from Mt Roskill to Mt Eden, running between Dominion Rd and Mt Eden Rd on residential roads. Apart from lots of parked cars, I encountered very little in the way of moving traffic. Along the way, inconspicuous signposts direct you to the local shops of Mt Roskill, Balmoral and Mt Eden.
Although I have ridden this route confidently with my children, any recommendation does come with a few caveats. You will at some point need to cross hostile, non-people friendly, high speed, 4 lane arterial roads. You will need a map with you initially because of the lack of decent sign postings. You will need to be wary of the motorists who speed past you.
I know that people who use their bicycles for commuting want the ability to ride the quickest and most direct (arterial) route, just like motorists feel entitled to. But for those not feeling that confident or of the ‘road warrior’ persuasion, this kind of route is a good alternative. But it’s also perfect for an experienced cyclist like myself who is starting to experience the pleasures of slow cycling.
When I read about Carl’s experience of riding his bike to the airport along ‘green routes’, it reminded me of my initial experience of cycling in Auckland after a long hiatus. I spent many Sunday’s exploring Auckland on my bicycle. But all the exploration was done with the intention of finding ways of avoiding roads and intersections that were not conducive to slow, easy cycling.
It is this kind of cycling, in these kinds of locations that has the biggest potential to grow the numbers of people cycling. Short, local trips. Quiet back roads, linked through parks and schools. Significant numbers of the population would consider giving cycling a go if it was safe and easy. In many cases, it wouldn’t take much to make cycling in Auckland completely irresistible for a wide range of people who are not currently cycling.
But when you look at the state of the official ‘cycle route‘ from Mt Roskill to Mt Eden, it really would only get a ‘D’. Could do better. It all looks like some kind of after thought. Established by a council that does not really want to or know how to encourage cycling. It may have a few signs that indicate it is a ‘cycle route‘, but in my mind the itallics will have to remain for the time being.
Cycling in Auckland works pretty well for me. My Sunday ride was proof of that. But I’m a cyclist with a life time of experience. What about all those potential cyclists? What is being done to get them cycling?
cycling/freedom
This route (Parau/Roskill-Balmoral/Dominion Rd-Eden Valley) is my daily commute! In three years of riding it I've sadly always felt I had it more or less to myself- but then again it took me about 6 months to notice the deliberately 'unobtrustive' cycle route signs.
Ironically because of all the corners and stop starts its basically the same time in a car- making it an ideal candidate for a bit of a promotional push. There are plenty of houses and thousands of people who live along it but not once have I seen anyone leaving there house on a bike and I can't wait for the day this happens.
Without any serious upgrade, this area is already very suitable for cycling. Trips to shops, schools etc. can be done now. It would only need a bit of promotion. If the links/connections were made better, it would be a perfect South to CBD alternative to the main arterials. It could be done at a very reasonable price too, compared to the cost of catering for cars/roads. Petrol must still be too cheap. Locals are still prepared to drive their cars for those short local trips. Having locals using their bikes could help bring some life and business back to the shopping centres on Dominion Rd. Currently, Dominion Rd is simply operates like a motorway…with cars parked on it.
Mark, what would you suggest to make the links/connections better?
Frankly, I'm not seeing local residential roads being a great concern for cycling promotion, except for local trips, some short cuts, kids practicing, etc.
This route is quiet, safe, green, enjoyable, flattish and already in existence. If you want more people enjoying everyday cycling its a great place to start.
What's not to like, all it needs is a few more bigger signs so cyclists don't get lost and motorists know to expect bikes. Then you have half of a largely ready made non arterial South to CBD route.
Crossing Balmoral Rd is the major one that needs work- I for one would like to see a traffic light sequence that goes green for long enough to allows bikes to cross the intersection then green for cars at either end (Mt-Eden or Dominion Rd). I switched from doing the current sign posted section Matipo/Balmoral/Henley Rd route because I find the crossing at Dominion Rd slightly less worse.
PS Promoting short trips by bike is a great idea.
@MCP "what would you suggest to make the links/connections better?".
..There are many options available such as speed reduction, education/promotion of a cycling culture (European style), engineering solutions that make cycling safer and easier and give cyclists priority.etc.
"I'm not seeing local residential roads being a great concern for cycling promotion…"
This network that we are discussing is already (mostly) suitable for cycling. However 99% of the population still perceive cycling to be hard, dangerous etc. We confident cyclists know this is not the case. A deliberate, precise, systematic promotion strategy needs to be implemented to encourage the non cycling population who see the value in cycling but need some serious convincing to take the next step. Once they start doing small easy trips they will be hooked and start doing other journeys too.
This neighborhood is mostly great for cycling- I take my kiddies out on bikes all the time, but eventually our trip is limited by an arterial road. If we are to use bikes as a serious mode of transport we need to start fixing both access across and along these arterials.
Hey Mark, thanks for raising this issue. Would be keen to progress the subject at the Puketapapa (Mt Roskill) Transport Forum. I am a big advocate of safe cycle routes. The next Forum is focusing on the Dominion Rd changes. With a lot of our arterials, we simply do not have enough room to adequately fit all road users into the corridor. There may be a good case to see a safe cycle route developed into town along the one you described, but to have all the intersections changed and signalling installed to get across Balmoral Road to give priority to cycle commuters. The route does twist and turn but for many it would be preferable to playing leapfrog with buses all the way into town.
Interesting stuff. And as for room on the arterials Richard, there are rows of cars parked along the sides of many of our major arterial roads. Parking is very contentious for drivers and local businesses and communities as it puts loads on side streets, and detracts from 'foot traffic' that usually drives right up and expects a parkng space out front in the first place.
I was meaning that local communities and businesses want to keep on street parking, which may not be the most efficient for transportation.
parked cars can provide an effective buffer and barrier from traffic for pedestrians and of course, retailers believe that without a car park outside their premise, the business will curl up and die
I know of two studies that showed that bus passengers spent more per visit than car drivers did in Newmarket and Highbury
@ Steve, I have heard rumours that foot traffic brings more business than cars. I am glad to hear there is some research on the topic.
@Richard, there are 2 distinct issues. Developing and promoting the green route could be done relatively easily and cheaply with big benefits.
I think the issue of cycling provision on arterial routes also needs to be explored at some point.
I am starting to see some good research indicating the enormous cost that providing car parking has on the city and its residents. I would like the city to explore that issue seriously. Contentious but worth exploring.
there is no question that using land to provide free parking is an enormous subsidy to drivers
I have read that to operate a motor vehicle with any reasonable degree of usability you need at any one time around 20 car parks, if a car park is around 3.5×5.5m that's 16.5m2 per car park, x 20 = 330m2, x 50 to 95 new cars coming on the Auckland roads each day…… the numbers start getting out of hand.
I am not sure what's in the report that will be delivered by Auckland Transport on Friday that is supposed to start the consultation process off again re Dominion Road. But as I said earlier, the way I see it, Dominion Road is not wide enough to cater for cars, buses and cyclists separately, so we need to be looking at alternatives. I rode into town today along Sandringham Rd, it is ok. Last week I went along Mt Eden at peak time to catch a train at the Mt Eden railway station, that was ok too apart from the crunch at the Balmoral Rd intersection. The important thing is that a high quality cycle route into the city is not forgotten completely if it is not on Dominion Rd.
A friend was suggesting an overhead light rail down Dominion Rd, now that would be cool. Then we could do away with one of the car lanes and give the space over to cycle/foot paths, gardens and seating etc.