Strange decisions behind cycleways and bus hub

HOW many more unusual and unpopular decisions will be made by those responsible for leading our city?

John Wilson Ocean Dr has restricted entry for motorists, Jetty St is closed, there are numerous restricted parking areas and orange cones are sprinkled throughout the city. Even some traffic lights appear to be timed incorrectly.

I have previously written about the absurdity and danger of positioning cycle lanes on State Highway 1. The very few cyclists who are brave enough to use these lanes take their lives in their hands. They are required to weave through traffic and swap sides of the road, while trucks and cars dodge around them. This is unbelievable.

State Highway 1 is definitely a dog’s breakfast. So far motorists don’t like it, business people don’t like it, museum and hospital visitors don’t like it. Now, according to the ODT

(10.10.18), even cyclists don’t like it.

So who does think it is a good idea to have wide cycle lanes which weave through traffic and are bordered by huge concrete obstacles?

I know that cycling is good for health, enjoyment and the environment, but cycle tracks need to be far away from major roadways and streets.

I now also wonder if the bus hub is in the best place. I have witnessed huge buses, with skilful drivers, negotiating our innercity narrow streets and I feel that some of these routes are definitely not suitable for buses.

I wonder if any of those who planned the bus hub or even SH1 cycle lanes have a heavy vehicle or bus licence? If these planners were required to drive large vehicles around proposed routes, prior to beginning major work, I feel sure we would have much better and safer streets.

It’s now too late but why couldn’t Dunedin have had a similar bus hub model to that in Christchurch? Bernice Armstrong

Opoho