Draft Cycling and Walking Strategies out for feedback

February 11, 2009

North Shore City Council is proud to release two draft strategies this week which aim to increase and improve walking and cycling opportunities for residents within our city.

The draft Walking Strategy is aligned with other regional and national strategies and supports calls for greater investment in walking so that more people walk more often and walking increasingly becomes a healthy alternative to private motor vehicle usage

Similarly, the draft 2009 Cycling Strategy is also in line with other regional and national policy and safety initiatives, while keeping intact the vision, goals and strategies of the preceding 2003 Cycling Strategy.

Councillor Ken McKay, Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, says the council’s vision for walking is a city where people choose to walk more, and where walking is accessible, safe, pleasant and convenient.

In terms of cycling, Councillor McKay says that since the introduction of the 2003 Strategic Cycle Plan, significant progress has been made towards providing cycling facilities around North Shore City where possible.

“Safety is the number one priority of the cycling strategy and will be of paramount importance when we consider any new cycle lane proposals to add to our existing 49 kilometres of cycle lanes and paths.

“We look forward to receiving the public’s input during the consultation phase for both strategies to ensure that council delivers what is best for the North Shore community,” says Councillor McKay.

Draft documents of both strategies will be available for public viewing and feedback February 16 to March 16.

Following this consultation period, council will compile a revised draft that incorporates stakeholder feedback. This will then be presented to Council’s May 2009 Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting before being made public via the council’s website.

Both draft documents are available online from February 16 at www.northshorecity.govt.nz or at any of our city’s seven libraries. Website keyword searches are ‘cycling strategy’ and ‘walking strategy’.

Those that give us their feedback on either draft strategy will also give themselves the chance to win themselves a $250 voucher from Rebel Sport.

ENDS

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