In an effort to improve safety for cyclists, Wellington City Council is trialling a Dutch technology called Bikescout.
Bikescout uses a radar, then flashing amber LED lights embedded in the road to warn drivers when a cyclist is approaching. It's been brought to New Zealand by Fulton Hogan.
"The radar unit picks up cyclists about 70 metres out and what the objective of it is, is to alert the vehicles about six seconds before the cyclist arrives at the crossing", said Technical Adviser Ron Gorter. The radar calculates speed and distance and is the same technology used for cruise-control in cars.
Bikescout's being trialled on Wellington's Old Hutt Road on State Highway 2. There are 400 people who use the Old Hutt Road cycleway at peak hour.
"We chose this location because of the trucks coming in and out of this truck stop, the 80km road becoming 60km and just the complex nature of it", Mr Gorter said.
Wellington City Council described Old Hutt Road as Wellington's most dangerous stretch of road for cyclists, despite the fact there's a dedicated cycling lane.
"You've got to definitely keep an eye open for everything that's coming in and out, particularly where there's the child centre and the building places", said cyclist Tony Wheeler. "There are 12 deaths a year on average from cycling, there are far more injuries, this is probably a very cost effective technology if it can save lives, and it can do that", said Mr Gorter.
The technology's used widely in the Netherlands.
"Cycling culture over there's great, you can cycle around quite safely, here it's a little bit less comfortable", Mr Gorter said.
It starts in the "tens of thousands" of dollars for a basic system.
Nearly $38m will be spent on improving cycling in the capital over the next two years. Wellington City Councillor Sarah Free says that will be split three ways, between council, the government and NZTA.
"It's a big investment but we realise we haven't put the money into our cycling infrastructure that we'd like to, so now's the chance to do that".
"The project to improve the cycle path from Ngauranga to Thorndon Quay (along the Old Hutt Road) is $4.5m, which is a big amount of money, but it's obviously quite a dangerous environment".
"It's got a lot of retail and commercial along this route, so a lot of activity with cars and very large trucks crossing the cycle path, so it's a challenge for us to try and make it safe", she said.
Bikescout's just one of the technologies Wellington City Council is considering. Council says it's seeing growing numbers of women take up cycling and electric bikes are enticing even more people onto two-wheels.
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