Media Release
For Immediate Release 20 February 2003

Walking and cycling projects throughout New Zealand funded during National Bike Wise Week

Transfund New Zealand made a fitting funding decision for National Bike Wise week with approval of nearly $1 million worth of walking and cycling projects throughout New Zealand yesterday.

Twenty-four projects have been approved, ranging from construction of a walkway on Bryants Bridge in Manawatu to funding of walking and cycling strategy studies for local roads in Queenstown Lakes District and State highways in Northland.

The projects are:

* The construction of cycleways in Taranaki (Junction Bridge widening), Wellington (Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay, Kilbirnie area cycleways), Hamilton (Hamilton cycleway network), Nelson/Marlborough (Burkes Bank cycleway, Nelson cycle lane, Whakatu Drive cycle lane on SH6)

* Development of a walking and cycling strategy for Wakatipu Basin in Queenstown

* The construction of a walkway/cycleway beside Bryant's Bridge in Manawatu

* Investigation and/or design of six walking projects for Northland (Church Road pedestrian crossing, Coopers to Taipa Street pedestrian and cycling facilities, Kioreroa Road/Port Road pedestrian facilities, Moerewa pedestrian crossing, Ohaewai pedestrian crossing and a Northland cycling and walking strategy study)

* Investigation and/or design of four cycling projects for Auckland (Hatfields Bridge to Orewa cycleway, Mill Road to SH1/2 interchange cycle facilities, Te Hana township traffic management and pedestrian facilities, Whangaparoa Road to Wainui Road seal widening to accommodate cyclists)

* Investigation and/or design of three cycling projects for Waikato (Control Gates to Bridge cycleway, Kiddle Drive cycle underpass, Wairakei cycle lane)

* Investigation and/or design of one cycling project for Canterbury (Boyle River Bridge)

* Investigation and/or design of one cycling project for Otago (linking an existing cycleway on SH1 to the Harbour cycleway).

While most of the projects were funded as a result of funding requests by Transit New Zealand, three projects: the Hamilton cycleway network, Kilbirnie area cycleways in Wellington, and the Wakatipu Basin walking and cycling strategy study, were requested by Hamilton City Council, Wellington City Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council respectively.

Chairperson David Stubbs said the Transfund Board was pleased to enable these projects to go ahead.

"Cycling and walking obviously have numerous benefits, ranging from helping to reduce congestion on roads and improving fitness levels, to supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"It is particularly fitting that the Board was able to approve these projects during National Bike Wise Week," he said.

The funding comes from Transfund's Walking and Cycling output group, which provides funding to activities relating to the promotion of walking and cycling and for stand-alone cycling or pedestrian projects that do not otherwise comprise an integral part of a road construction project.

ENDS

Transfund New Zealand is the government agency responsible for allocating funding toward an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system for New Zealand. It funds a range of transport solutions based on funding applications received from Transit New Zealand, territorial authorities and regional councils. See our website www.transfund.govt.nz for more information.

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