Proposal to slash cycling budget stuns
Disaster for aims to cut road congestion, youth group warns
Aproposal to slash this year’s budget for Auckland cycling projects from $65 million to about $6.5m in the next two years is a disaster for the city, says youth group Generation Zero.
Auckland Transport is considering the cuts for when the Urban Cycleways Fund, set up by the last Government, comes to an end.
“This would be a disaster for Ta¯maki Makaurau and an abandonment of a successful programme to increase the number of people on bikes, increase safety, and reduce congestion,” says Generation Zero Auckland director Leroy Beckett.
The proposed cuts are contained in the draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2028, which Auckland Transport (AT) is putting out for public feedback from February 28 to March 28.
The draft proposes reducing capital spending on cycling and walking from $65m in the 2018-2019 financial year to $6.5m and $6.7m in the following two years.
AT plans to spend a total of $4.6 billion on running costs, renewals and capital projects over the three years.
“This budget does not reflect an organisation that is serious about reducing congestion or emissions . . . doesn’t reflect an inclusive approach to designing transport networks.
“It ignores the increased demand from children who wish to walk, scooter or cycle safely to schools instead of being dependent on cars,” Beckett said.
An AT spokesman said the document was a draft, not a final decision: “Beyond 2018/19, the $6.5m per annum reflects a base level in the absence of any decision to invest in further cycling initiatives.
“As part of the 10-year budget process, we are keen to get the public’s views about what additional funding they would like to see spent on the cycling programme,” the spokesman said.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter was surprised about the priorities in the draft and expected Aucklanders to make it clear during consultation that walking and cycling and rapid transit should be higher priorities.
“Aucklanders are sick of being stuck in traffic. Investing in rapid transit and safe cycling infrastructure is key to giving more Aucklanders the freedom to escape traffic congestion and go by train, bus or bike,” she said.
Genter, a Green MP, said the Government was committed to substantially increasing investment in walking and cycling. The only regret Harry Willis had after starting his mammoth journey up the world’s steepest street on a pogo stick yesterday was drinking a can of cola before he started. “The Coke was a bad idea. “I got the stitch about halfway up.” Despite the stomach ache, the 11-year-old managed to make it up Baldwin St in about 10 minutes — without stopping.
And in the process, he raised more than $7700 for Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch.
Harry said the organisation was close to his heart because it provided his family with support and “a home away from home” when his sister Darcie was receiving cancer treatment in Christchurch last year.
Having the family stay together and visit Darcie in hospital regularly, played a major part in her recovery.
Before Harry started the challenge, he was only 75 per cent confident he would make it to the top because he had been doing flips on a trampoline a few days earlier and hurt his back. “Nearer the top, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I thought I was going to trip.
“But the crowd pushed me to go