Spokes Dunedin, Ōtepoti’s cycling and sustainable transport advocacy group, is deeply concerned that the Water of Leith Shared Path proposal as recently reported will unhelpfully jeopardise the high value and shovel-ready Albany Street Connection.
While a Water of Leith Shared Path would be an excellent addition to our active travel network, it would not address the key safety and livability improvements that are desperately needed on Albany Street adjacent to the University of Otago.
“Every delay means we accept more unsafe streets, more emissions, and more missed opportunities to make Ōtepoti a world-class city where people can move safely and sustainably,” said Devonia Kruimer, Chair of Spokes.
Research consistently shows that reallocating small amounts of on-street parking to create safe cycleways and walking paths increases foot traffic for local businesses [1], improves road safety [2] , and encourages healthier, more sustainable travel choices [3].
Spokes recognises that temporary disruption from projects like George Street and Bath Street affects local businesses significantly. However, these short-term impacts lead to long-term benefits for the community. We encourage our members and others to continue visiting local businesses and support them through this.
We acknowledge that the keystone of the Albany Street Connection is the section between Leith Street and Cumberland Street, as this serves a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists travelling to and from the University of Otago. We strongly encourage the council to prioritise the retention of this section.
Spokes calls on our councillors to be wary of delay tactics and encourage them to proceed with the key elements of the Albany Street Connection. This will result in a safer, healthier, and more pleasant street in the critical area adjacent to our University.
Great outcome today, ridiculous though that we have to battle so hard for rudimentary cycling infrastructure that involves so many sleepless nights for people like me!
For (8): Mayor Sophie Barker and Crs John Chambers, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, Marie Laufiso, Mandy Mayhem, Mickey Treadwell, Steve Walker.
Against (7 ): Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas and Crs Russell Lund, Benedict Ong, Jules Radich, Andrew Simms, Lee Vandervis, Brent Weatherall.
The danger now is that that the cycleway is built as planned and then is used by the naysayers as proof that cycleways are not used. Personally I’d like them to drop the cycleway, but make really sure the road is safe and traffic-calmed… but I suspect it will be a build-as-planned situation.
Ok well that is great news that council has vote in favour of Albany St. Interesting the ODT calls it a “Cycleway”. After listening to the DCC Debate, its clearly not a “Cycleway” , it’s a pedestrian safety improvement project (with a bolt on Cycle lane)". Really interesting to hear McKnights passionate defence of the Water of Leith and building a well thought out “network”. Well perhaps this leaves the door open to Water of Leith cycleway in the future but agree it was a rogue distraction for the Albany improvements. Nice to hear some well thought out and presented input from OUSA and University Facilities. Having listened to the whole cycleway debate, I feel relieved that we have some smart people at the helm of our city having vigorous and spicey debate about these projects. Interesting to hear City procurement departments “Price Quality Method” which often selects more expensive quotes being accepted, based on the quality they deliver. Great to hear Walker, Hall, Treadwell, Mayhem and Garey’s productive stance on the motion for. For someone like me who isn’t familiar with the council process around such projects, this was a very enlightening debate. Compulsory listening for Spokes members. I’m very positive about this council even Lund, Simms and Vandervis input. I take there point that the greater network vision has been lacking and we end up with compromises.
DCC live streamed on 11 Nov:
