Cyclist forgotten in traffic plans?

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33092, 6 December 1972, Page 23

Cyclist forgotten in traffic plans?

What began as a discussion on the proposed relocation of the Christchurch Girls’ High School on the Fleming’s mill site turned, at a meeting of the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority yesterday, into a call for recognition of the cyclist in the city’s traffic planning.

The authority’s executive recommended that, if asked, the authority should support the Riccarton Borough Council’s objection to the relocation of the school, but only on traffic grounds.

Mr D. B. Dallas said that this was a very general statement which should be put in more specific terms. The traffic the school would generate would be relatively small, and its peaks would come at different times to the normal peaks on the arterial roads.'

“At Girls’ High School, the predominant mode of transport is, perhaps, the bicycle, but the master transportation plan regards the bicycle as

incompatible with heavy motor traffic — we don’t want bikes,” said Mr Dallas. “What steps are being taken to make cycling safer and more comfortable? There is a pronounced swing to the bicycle overseas, and Christchurch is ideal for cycling. We should give some protection to people, such as pedestrians and cyclists, who seem to come off second best.” The authority’s assistant director (Mr M. Douglass) said that cycle traffic had been a continuing concern. It was realised in 1962 that arterial roads could never accept cyclists and motor traffic. Individual councils had been asked to make provision in their district schemes, but no general provision had been made. “There will probably have to be grade separation (a bridge or a subway) for the school on the new site,” he said. “It will be essential from Hagley Park to the school, and for cycle and pedestrian access to the arterial roads — Fendalton Road, Deans Avenue and Harper Avenue. Routes from west “There will be problems, also, for routes from the west, involving crossings of arterial or primary roads. This is being discussed with the Education Department.

Another question is direct vehicular access to the school.” The District Commissioner of Works (Mr P. F. Reynolds) said no detail information was available on how pupils, staff and visitors got to the school. “The authority’s policy is clearing the cyclist from the roads,” said Mr R. H. T. Thompson’, who said he was himself a cyclist. “Abroad, the bankruptcy of planning only for the car has been shown ... it is increasingly hazardous for children to cycle to school.” “Separation needed” The chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said he disagreed. Some separation was needed for efficiency and safety, and the master transportation plan did meet requirements. Some councils had built arterial roads without provision for cyclists, said Mr Douglass. The authority would be looking at the question at officer level, but the councils must act, and quickly. The authority decided to support Riccarton’s appeal, which is against a requirement by the Minister of Works (Mr Allen), setting aside for a school the land bounded by Deans Avenue, Matai Street, the railway and Mona Vale.