Body-painted bike ride in support of Island Bay Cycleway

Sunday, 1 February 2015, 10:23 am
Press Release: Generation Zero

Body-painted bike ride in support of Island Bay Cycleway

Fifty local residents took part in a body-painted bike ride this morning to show support for the Island Bay Cycleway going ahead.

The group rode from Shorland Park in Island Bay into the city via Newtown, painted all over and sporting the message “Safe cycling needs more than a layer of paint”.

The ride was organised by youth climate change organisation Generation Zero, which supports climate change solutions including smart transport options like cycling.

Spokesperson for the group and Island Bay resident, Alice Coppard, said:

“Safe cycling needs more than a layer of paint – we need separated cycleways for all the people who want to ride their bikes but currently don't feel safe.”

“As an Island Bay resident, I can't wait for me and my family to have the choice of a safe bike ride separated from traffic for our local trips, and eventually a complete route all the way to the CBD.

“We're riding today to show community support for the Council to get on with the first stage of the Island Bay Cycleway.”

Several Wellington City councillors have requested a special meeting next Tuesday. The Notice of Motion calls for decision making powers on cycleway projects to be transferred from the Transport and Urban Development Committee to the full council, and the preparation of a cycling master plan.

There are concerns that some councillors may seek to block or delay stage one of the Island Bay Cyleway – due for final sign off on Thursday – from proceeding.

“It would be really devastating if a group of councillors were to block the Cycleway from going ahead when it is so close to getting underway,” said Miss Coppard.

“What's more, doing this could destroy Wellington's chances of getting a share of of the Government's $100 million urban cycleway fund, which could deliver huge improvements for the whole city at no cost to ratepayers.”

“There are no doubt improvements that could be made to consultation processes around future cycleways but the Council mustn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

“We're very hopeful that the majority of councillors will see the huge benefits and huge opportunity this project presents and vote to get on with it.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media