Wheels turn on recreational cycleway

May 16, 2005

North Shore City Council is aiming to make it easier for people to get on their bikes and around the city by providing a safe and scenic cycleway.

The draft recreational cycleway proposal would see existing parks, reserves and coastal land used where possible to create a 'green' network.

North Shore City community services and parks committee chairperson, Margaret Miles, believes the recreational cycleway is a great idea.

"This will give cyclists of all ages - whether they're young people meeting their friends at a local park, or more serious cyclists riding from Devonport to Long Bay - easier and safer access to the open spaces in our city," she says.

Another piece of the recreational cycleway puzzle was put in place at the community services and parks committee meeting on Thursday.

Vector Ltd was given permission to install an underground cable circuit through Omega and Rook reserves in Albany, as long as it built a cycleway over the top when it had finished.

"We didn't want to miss the opportunity to put in a portion of track that could eventually make up part of the overall recreational cycleway," says Councillor Miles.

Another section - in the southern part of the city - to be used as a recreational cycleway is Northboro Reserve between Belmont and Bayswater.

It was recently opened to walkers after a major revamp, but for a few more weeks until the ramp is finished cyclists will have to carry their bikes up a small flight of stairs.

The recreational cycleway is part of North Shore City's objective to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and travel in a healthier and more environmentally-friendly way.

It will fit in with the cycle strategy, which aims to provide safe, dedicated cycle facilities for both commuters and other cyclists.

The draft recreational cycleway proposal is expected to go to community boards for comment in the next month.

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