Work on new urban cycleways in Rotorua is set to begin, connecting existing cycleways on main routes to the new programme, Cy-Way.
When finished, the Cy-Way network will expand to around 25km of cycleways, decided on with the help of Rotorua Cycle Action Group and roading experts.
Rotorua Cycle Action Group chair Dave Crawley says the main focus is to make cycling around the city safe.
His group has advocated for better urban cycling in Rotorua for years, and now he’s happy to be a part of the planning process.
"We encourage people to engage with council around Cy-Way projects coming up and to provide feedback," he says.
Rotorua Lakes Council sustainable transport team leader Jodie Lawson says not all the cycleways will be the same.
Some will be on shared paths, on the road with painted markings, or the road with traffic separators.
"We'll be talking to local communities and schools where cycleways are planned ahead of work beginning, and encourage feedback once they're in use to ensure we've got things right." Ms Lawson says.
The first cycleway construction will begin next week along Morey St in the eastern suburbs, providing a connection to nearby schools.
Work on two more in the Springfield and Fenton Park areas is expected to begin in April or May.
Rotorua Lakes Council will be aiming to educate schools, cyclists and motorists ahead of the Cy-Way rollout.
Funding for the Cy-Way network is shared between Rotorua Lakes Council ($1.9m), New Zealand Transport Agency’s National Land Transport Fund ($2.1m) and the Government’s Urban Cycleways Fund ($1.5m).
First Cy-Way projects:
More information on the cycleways can be seen here.
To provide feedback, visit the Cy-Way page on the council’s website.
Newshub.
