Confusion reigns during cycleway construction
A lack of signage on the pop-up cycle lane on Brooklyn Hill is creating confusion as motorists continue to park within the plastic markers of the new lane.
The cycle lane was estimated to involve the removal of 139 coupon parking spaces and cost more than $300,000 when it was proposed in May last year.
Katie Underwood of the Brooklyn Residents association rides Brooklyn Hill on her E-bike daily. She said that the lack of signage created a dangerous situation at the lane’s entrance.
‘‘There are no signs to say ‘use it’ or ‘don’t use it’ and there are cars parked on the lower bit,’’ said Underwood.
Underwood felt that reducing the median buffer between vehicles and routing the lane between the footpath and parking spaces in some sections compromised safety for cyclists and drivers.
‘‘There’s no room for error. I’m all for safe cycle lanes that don’t disadvantage every other road user,’’ she said.
Resident Greg Crott said the cycleway was ‘‘a long way’’ from completion and was typified by a lack of communication at every level. He said the work started on May 3 without any signage to warn road users.
‘‘They’ve turned a perfectly good arterial route into a dangerous road,’’ he said.
Brooklyn resident Jacob van Hulst commuted by bike every day. He said an improvement to Brooklyn Rd was necessary as he had experienced getting squeezed by cars and trucks at the overtaking points but he was concerned about the temporary nature of the proposal. ‘‘A trial solution runs the risk of becoming a permanent slapdash solution,’’ he said.
But James Burgess of Cycle Wellington said that the uncompleted lane was already an improvement.
‘‘I was really impressed actually. They’ve made quick progress so far,’’ said Burgess.
Burgess said that the use of bolt down dividers between the cycle lane and parking spaces reduced the tendency for motorists to encroach on the cycle lane when parking.
Wellington City Council has been approached for comment, but last week Wellington Deputy Mayor Sarah Free, who has the cycling portfolio, told The Dominion Post there would be more community consultation once the cycleway was installed.