Martin from the North Shore would like your help to claim back the Triangle Rd cycle lane:
Okay guys and gals, it time to help our friends who commute on the Western Cycle Way.
Triangle Rd forms part of the western cycleway, but it is a joke—cars queue in the cycle lane, making it useless.
Here’s how bad it is:
Please help encourage the council to protect us cyclists by signing my online petition
Any support is appreciated and do share the links.
We got a lot of support to save our cycle lanes (Devonport to Takapuna) so now it’s our turn to help out!
Again, this is not about bikes vs cars vs buses or whatever. The problems on Triangle Road will not be sorted by me taking the bus.
As I've said, they're planning to block off the cycle lane. Won't this fix these things that you seem to be indicating is all my fault? I'm one person. I haven't done this singlehandedly you know.
If I don't join the other motorists where they currently line up, I have no way of getting on the motorway. Nobody would let me in at the top of the road. I know that isn't the way it's meant to be, but it's just the way it is. It isn't about getting to work on time – it's about getting there at all.
Please don't call me selfish. I'm trying to show you the effects of the changes on this road for people other than the cyclists who are all gunning for it.
@Shelly
OK, it is kind of cars vs whatever you know.. You say the problem is congestion, and I am merely highlighting the ways of reducing it, ie less cars. Please don't be offended.
How about EVERYONE just doesn't queue in the cycle lane? Yes that includes you.
"Again, this is not about bikes vs cars vs buses or whatever. The problems on Triangle Road will not be sorted by me taking the bus."
that's what everyone says. and if half of them took a bus, the problem would go away. it's easy for bicyclists to seem self-righteous, when we ARE doing something on a personal level to solve the problems that affect, well, everyone. the 2nd picture here sums it up – http://cyclingauckland.co.nz/front/2011/10/some-cool-cycling-posters/
motorists, generally, blame cyclists for traffic problems… but the problem isn't too many bikes
shelly – i get it. i understand that you're not a bad person, but in a bad situation you do what you have to do. after the first 4-5 cars pull into the cycle lane, then it does kinda force everyone else to follow. from a bicycling (and strictly legal) perspective it's still wrong, and from a motorist perspective it's necessary.
a physical barrier between the MV lanes and the cycle lane should bring some peace and harmony to triangle road. understanding and mutual respect between "us" and "them"… apparently that'll have to wait for another day
Oh! Cycling certainly does ease congestion. Maybe I haven't actually said this but I do believe it. Cars cause traffic. And when they block off the cycle lane – no idea when this would happen – this will certainly encourage cyclists.
The reason why I keep saying that this isn't a debate about methods of transport is because we already know the answer. But I can absolutely guarantee you that me taking the bus or cycling will not prevent hundreds of cars lining up on Triangle Rd every day, and it will be MUCH more helpful to discuss solutions!
I'm not here to be a representative for motorists as a whole – imagine going on to cyclingauckland.co.nz and waving the flag for the cars, I'd be lynched! It's just that I live on this busy road and I'm interested in its uses.
Ideally, a cycle lane on the giant empty paddock next to the road would be fantastic – no interference from cars at all. I think it's privately owned though.
i think we all agree that a physical barrier is a big part of the solution to the immediate problem (cars occupying the cycle lane).
beyond that, there are hundreds and thousands of people who say "what i do won't make a difference." we all know what would happen if "they" did something
really, shelly, you're the last person i want to pick on because you're coming here as a motorist looking for discussion and solutions, not being antagonistic or trying to pick fights. being pregnant, you also score a few points with me for justification of driving a car. still, you're expressing a certain apathy that i just can't leave alone. i can't tell you how to get rid of all that traffic outside your home, but YOU are empowered to contribute "one less car" to the problem.
For an update on triangle road, read on….will it be an improvement? time will tell….why is Akl transport keeping it so quiet?
http://transportblog.co.nz/2011/11/07/at-taking-cycling-more-seriously/#comment-31287
We (CAA) have separately been told about this – one of the reasons that AT was not willing to talk much about this earlier was that stability testing had to be done to see if the lanes could be shifted south without more significant roadworks.
Thankfully, the testing came back positively, which means the resulting costs are lower, which means the fix-up project is now hope to go ahead before New Year.
Apparently the exact type of divider is not yet known, but CAA has expressed a strong wish for a real barrier, i.e. something that a guy in a SUV can't ignore all too casually. Hopefully that will occur. In the long run, an off-road shared path may be implemented, especially if the problem reduces but does not disappear.
Once there is a barrier and cars can't use the cycle lane the traffic jam will be so long that drivers will find other ways to work other than Triangle rd .Less cars on Triangle rd safer for us and faster for the locals that have to use it WIN WIN
Hi Max /Alan any progress-updates as to what's going on?
It is still ongoing. The CAA are still trying to arrange a time to see the police on my behalf, as they (NZP) are refusing to move on their position.
In the mean time, I am pushing my bike up the gravel drain to the left of the cycle lane 5 mornings a week – until the lane improvements or the new interchange are finished. Not sure which will happen first.
I feel very jealous of all those cars getting to use the cycle lane every morning. If only we had better motorists out here in West Auckland.
Hi Alan good to hear that you are on your bike ,or should I call it a Push bike:) I had a thought ,if the Cops are dragging there heels could someone not go Higher maybe police complaints/ Minister of Police. I'm sure they would like to know of the inaction on the information that they have be given over the past year ,and what has happened because of there inaction Lives Have Been Put at Risk ,charging a cyclist for being hit from behind by a car that was braking the law driving in the bike lane ……..and now it seems there obstructing the flow of justice to cover there own butts ….If the higher power's saw this forum head's would roll .Maybe someone should take a copy of this topic in case some smart IT type crashes this page/site ,just a thought .
I'll be happy enough to be excused of the fine.
Hi Max is there anything happening on the Triangle rd bike lane yet. I haven’t been out that way in a while so thought you may know what,s happening ………………from November last year… the testing came back positively, which means the resulting costs are lower, which means the fix-up project is now hope to go ahead before New Year.
Hi Marty – the design we (CAA) have seen is pretty good, should hopefully fix all the issues conclusively.
HOWEVER, the construction has now slipped again, to April. Apparently more issues related to first accommodating the parking on the southern side. We are getting a bit … ticked off… about the delays, and I can’t think of how frustrating it must be for the people actually dealing with the inconvenience and danger every day on their cycle commute!
Fingers crossed something happens there before something happens.
this from Cycle Action Auckland’s website: http://caa.org.nz/auckland-transport/its-infrastructural-works-finally-started-on-triangle-road/
Alan – I’m worried that you put yourself in danger pushing your bike up the gravel drain on the side of the road. Not being a cyclist myself, I wonder why not use the completely empty cycle lane on the opposite side of the road, or is there a legal problem in doing this (going in the wrong direction)? I’ve seen other people doing it. Just as a stop-gap to prevent injuring yourself until they fix the other side!
To be honest I usually weave my way up around and through the cars when it is bad. I do occasionally walk up the gravel bits when there is no room… (as instructed by the NZ Police).
Also I have never found riding against traffic (on the wrong side of the road) very safe at all. Some people freak out when they see someone else heading at them on their side of the road.
not to mention the hazard of crossing a busy road twice to ride the wrong way!
Good to see something Happening ,but did they say which April it would finisher by ?
Lol, Marty, you are getting almost as suspicious as CAA is ourselves. THIS April. THIS year.
CAA used some photos of the queueing in the cycle lane in a recent presentation as to why AT needs to create a more direct channel and a quicker response procedure for such issues. Hopefully we are getting somewhere with that, will keep people updated on our website in the coming months.
Oh, and minor clarification to my post on CAA’s own website, the works that started a few days ago on Triangle Road are not yet the ones for the queueing issue (sorry for the slight conflation of the two workstreams – I don’t manage to get out to the west enough at the moment). But hey, Auckland Transport told us – beginning of this week – that the queueing in the cycle lane issue works ARE on track to be done by April, so it’s all up to them now to get it done.
I did see work being done out there the other month but it was after the round about to the bridge ,not after the bridge where the problem is
Been over at Vorb and got some great news from one of the West Auckland commuters:
YAY!
As of today, they have installed barriers (sort of like sideways speed humps with occasional bollards) separating the cycle lane and road way.
The most dangerous part of my ride is now one of the safest.
Props to the council, to CAA, all who signed petition, all who nagged the council, and all who offered words of support.
Gives me faith (given time) that the council does react to enough push, CHEERS GUYS
/Very happy
win
It was one of the harder battles we fought, and the construction got delayed about 3 times, and they spent a whole lot more money than they should (because they essentially also added a car lane) but it’s great to see it’s finally in place, and that you guys feel it works well!
Having seen the plans, I really now need to get out there and have a look myself. I think it will be even better than the Clark Street West treatment which we worked with Council to get into place:
http://caa.org.nz/auckland-transport/innovative-treatment-to-protect-cycle-lane-installed-in-new-lynn/
Max, CAA
Anyone have a link to photos or a video of what it looks like now?
I will put up some photos soon.
Thanks I’m interested to see, I like what they did out in New Lynn, but it’s clear that NZ needs to become more considerate of other road users and the Netherlands make sure this happens:
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/05/why-theres-no-war-between-drivers-and-cyclists-netherlands/1955/
There are a couple of photos at this link (Hope you don’t mind Max):
http://caa.org.nz/auckland-transport/triangle-road-now-open-for-cyclists-again/
Good work CAA and AT.
Hi Bryce, no, that post will do, thanks. I had some further photos direcly from AT in addition to these photos taken by one of the CAA members who rides the route to work in the city – but the AT photos show the same thing really, so no need to add those as well. Though I really want to ride out there and have a look myself, now!
Its good to see what people power can do if you keep at it. We got the result we were after ,making the road safe for all (even the tin tops got something from our efforts )Thanks Max and the good people a CAA for doing what we couldn’t it’s much appreciated……… what’s our next target:)
Yeah, I just wish it hadn’t taken forever, and cost and arm and a leg (at least all the road widening and car park relocation was paid from by safety budgets, not cycling budgets).
But let’s focus on the positives, you are right. I think the greatest positive is that we’ve done these things now, and can roll them out elsewhere we have similar issues.