Remit on cycle facilities lost

Press, 9 April 1981, Page 6

Remit on cycle facilities lost

A Christchurch City Council remit asking for more active Government interest in cycleway planning and funding was lost by a wide margin at the Municipal Association conference yesterday. A Christchurch delegate, Cr Vicki Buck, told the conference that with the increasing cost of fuel, and a new awareness of the value of physical fitness, more people were turning to cycling as an alternative means of transport. She said that the needs of cyclists were not catered for in the same way as those of motorists. When National Roads Board or State highway projects adversely affected cycle movements, funds should be made available either to restore the route or provide an alternative, she said. ' ' . . , > - The remit had some support. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr C. M. Kay) said

that 9 per cent of the urban Auckland population used a bicycle for transport either to work or to school. He said the place of the bicycle should be recognised. However, the Mayor of East Coast Bays (Mr A. M. McCulloch) said the responsibility for provision of cycling facilities was with the local bodies concerned. “We should stop asking the Government to do these things for us,” he said. “If we as local bodies can not deal with them ourselves, what hope is there for local government?” v ~ Cr M. Joel (Dunedin) said he opposed the remit because the Roads Board already provided subsidies for cycling facilities. Cr Buck said the present policy of the board... discriminated against cycle users. The remit aimed at equality between cyclists and other road users, she