Does anyone know anything about this?
I have no idea why the dcc might think a path along the town belt is a priority. It is far from the most important line of desire, and given that other projects have been effectively canceled, why this?
@Duncan posted something about it on Facebook. I agree with the majority of the comments that most people want to cross the belt, not ride along it.
I have an idea as to why the DCC might think it is wanted (without having read the article, if anyone with a sub wants to add a precis Iād be grateful).
Suspect the consultation to date has been captured by an agitator who wants it, and has persuaded his mates to say so too.
Nothing at all.
Sounds like a solution looking for a problem.
There are a few spots passing through the town belt that could do with some safety improvements, but building an entirely new pathway would be a wasteful folly.
The DCC should just focus on making Warrender St, Lachlan Ave, the busier sections of Queens Drive and Drivers Road safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Maybe create a few more shared use gravelled road shoulders and pop a few speed bumps in, and job done.
Duncan
I can see both sides of this debate and have often wondered why there isnāt more emphasis on utuilising this wonderful corridor. I walked the entire length of the town belt with my 87 year old Aunt a couple of years ago with the ODT Town Belt Walk from the Oval to Woodhaugh. THe OTMC sometimes does this route as an urban hike.
I sometimes cylce commuted along Queens drive from the bullock track in the 80s to OBHS, until i found a better route from Waitati via Ross Creek. The path would probably get some use from students at OBHS, OGHS, St Hildas, McGlashan, Trinity especially as Ebikes become much more prevalent in coming years. Thats a couple of thousand students that commute either along or across that route every day.
I think its important to consider the needs of high school students who often have less commuting options than adults and probably less voice in the community. With proper low LED lighting and other safety features such as on demand ped crossings, this could be a HUGE asset for Dunedin.
I also appreciate the fact that Dunedin is lucky to have such a vast tract of relatively undisturbed urban nature, just minutes form the downtown. Not many cities aorund the world get this close to nature. If a new and safe pathway provides a valued tourist experience thru our unique little bird filled rainforest, or allows Dunedin Tax payers to walk their dog without getting run over by a car, then great, lets support it. At the very least, until we have some metrics about how many people might use this for cycle commuting, i donāt think we as a cylce advocacy group should write this off.
Not to mention the benefits to mental health by being able to immerse yourself in nature without even needing to drive anywhere. THousands of people live within 5 minutes walk of the town belt.
While the town belt terrain is often steep and rugged, with modern track building techniques using bridges etc AND the fact that Ebikes basically make hills disappear, then this is certainly a proposal that warrants at least a feasability study about the costs and benefits to Dunedin residents and the cities tourism.
Just remember people MOVE to cities that offer great urban experiences and things to do and Dunedin needs to offer better inner city recreation options. Note that people have been calling for a proper pathway along this route for over a decade according to this 2013 article in the ODT:
A post was split to a new topic: ODT article on Town Belt
Iām with you @bobthecoder on this; the current āscenic driveā isnāt great, but has wonderful potential.
Personally, Iād love to see the road in the Town Belt morphed into a highly connected and safe shared cycling / pedestrian corridor that goes the full length of the city.
At present, it sort of works for that, but with a few unpleasant sections / road interactions which make it not so good for children or less confident cyclists.
With some strategic (and cheap) development, it could become an amazing asset for the city. We would need to be involved to ensure it was done in a way that actually works for the range of cyclists who would potentially benefit.
Apparently we are in the Stage 2 Submissions for this. It would be very good to submit from Spokes.
Great thanks @NathanK . Here is my take on the plans:
2007 Plan Summary regarding Cycling:
The Sport and Recreation Strategic Plan 2002, recommends improvements to the cycle network, a track from the Oval to the Botanic Garden, and having an effective track network. Improving the network of tracks in the Town Belt by increasing links between existing tracks, increasing permitted use of tracks (i.e making them available for mountain biking or cycling), and potentially providing a multi use track that traverses the length of the Town Belt, will significantly increase the recreation and active commuting opportunities available to the community.
There is also the potential to consider restricting assess along some areas of the Town Belt currently accessible by vehicle to be only pedestrian and cycle access. This will assist with improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and will enhance the recreation opportunities available to them without the creation of new tracks in certain areas
2024 PLAN differences:
The 2024 Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan acknowledges cycling as a valuable recreational activity within the Town Belt area. Hereās what the plan says about cycling:
- Recognition of cycling as a popular activity: The plan identifies cycling as a popular recreational activity and mode of transportation within the Town Belt reserve, catering to various user groups, including mountain bikers, families, and commuters.
- Development of cycling networks: The draft plan proposes the development of new cycling routes and the improvement of existing tracks to provide safe and enjoyable cycling experiences for users. This includes the potential for shared paths for both pedestrians and cyclists.
- Integration with walking networks: The plan aims to integrate cycling networks with walking networks, promoting a multimodal approach to transportation and encouraging active modes of travel.
- Safety improvements: The council intends to enhance safety for cyclists by implementing appropriate signage, lighting, and other measures that promote visibility and reduce conflicts with pedestrians and vehicles.
- Collaboration with stakeholders: The draft plan emphasizes the importance of working with local cycling groups, clubs, and other stakeholders to ensure that the needs of the cycling community are considered in the development and management of cycling infrastructure within the Town Belt reserve.
Overall, the 2024 Draft Dunedin Town Belt Reserve Management Plan prioritizes cycling as a key recreational activity within the reserve and seeks to improve and expand cycling infrastructure to provide safe, accessible, and enjoyable experiences for users.
@bobthecoderās take on the plan:
So my take on this is great work DCC on coming up with a plan in 2007 and then taking little action and then just updating the plan in 2024. All good stuff and great to see more emphasis on working with local groups like Spokes and developer recreational and commuter paths. Understood about $$ constraints but how do we actually get DCC to DO what they say they would like to DO. Weāve got quarter of a century of TALK from the city. Time to get some people of ACTION into council. I would support the plan and remind the city when talking about pathways, that its in their plan and lets get on with the cost and feasability analysis. Weāve got a new round of councillors talking about whether they personally support a pathway, but no ACTUAL METRICS based on an studies. Its time for DCC to start looking at actual studies rather than the whim of Councillor de jour.
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I still have considerable reservations about getting too enthusiastic about this proposal. I think there is room for a few better links, more safety features on the roads and better sign posting etc. However, pushing for a new pathway traversing the Town Belt, even if planned as a shared use trail, will likely get push back from walkers. Also, although I like the idea of, at the very least replacing, the āScenic Driveā signs on Queens adribe with āScenic Routeā and making it even more inviting to walkers and cyclists, Iād hate to imagine the backlash from elements of the motoring community thinking cars were somehow being pushed out by cyclists.
I think the cycling community in Dunedin should still focus on the Two Tunnels Trail first and foremost. It will be just as good for commuting cyclists, and ties in better with tourism-related cycling plans as it will connect with the trails on the Taieri plains and further into Central Otago. Most importantly, by reopening the tunnels and developing the Two Tunnels Trail it opens up a new cycling and walking option for everyone.
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I have to wholeheartedly agree with Duncan on this one (although I do admit to a certain bias here). Weāre been trying to get the tunnels trail open for 19 years now, and DCC have been the biggest impediment.
A cycle path along the Town Belt sounds great, and I hate to pit one project against another, but jeez DCC. Just ******* focus! Please get the major project underway and sorted before looking at other nice-to-haves.
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Yup, ānice to haveā but not ahead of basic stuff like being able to commute safely from Mosgiel and the hill suburbs. You canāt even walk from the centre of town to some of the hill suburbs on a contagious footpath, something that most cities would be very embarrassed about.
Anyway, have your say: Submissions open until 23rd October 2024: https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/community-facilities/parks-and-reserves/management-plan-reviews/town-belt-reserve-management-plan-review
The city and this group is capable.of supporting several initiatives. Yes itās great to see Twin Tunnels coming along. A complete no brainer to push that project over the finish line and utilize the infrastructure that was put in place for us 150 years ago! But as part of a coordinated strategic plan we need to be more than a 1 trick pony. We as group and as a city need to have a long laundry list of cycle way projects that are identified, studied, promoted and investigated as part of a 20 year plan (as thats clearly how long it takes to get anything done in this city) Having mutliple projects on the go can actually be an advantage if you can sequence them properly as it creates job security for city resources and contractors. Building 50km of pathway in a short period of time is more cost effective than building 3km here and 4km there. It also means that we have hopefully identified most of the major projects as part of a coordianted plan rather than just jumping full steam into the next shiny thing that appears before us.
I dont think anyone is saying start the diggers on Queens Drive. Itās just another valid proposal that warrants further analysis and prioritization. And we need real metrics rather than mere postulating from the membership.
If Dunedin is only gonna build one new pathway every 19 years then the city is doomed to be a derelict old port town. Recall the ācritical massā theory that cyclists use to retake tbe streets. A similar ācritical massā may apply to multiple projects to actually get that snow ball moving and kilometers of pavement appearing.
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Totally agree. Some wayfinding would be great too. 