Comments (0)

By BarbC, May 25, 2013

Today’s rain is forecast to move on by tomorrow , which improves the prospect of getting out on bikes. This could include a trip to Waiheke where cyclists and walkers are inviting us to join their celebration marking 2 years of car-free use of The Esplanade. It’s the short road around the headland between Blackpool and Surfdale (for those who struggle with the intriguing geography of  Waiheke;  it’s ‘over the back, and down the hill’ from Oneroa, the charming village of quirky shops you pass through after arriving on the island).

Auckland Transport and the Waiheke Local Board have decided to open The Esplanade to cars. This will end the 2 year time of safety, which has allowed local kids to walk and cycle to local schools, and created a unique haven for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians to enjoy the tranquillity of this narrow harbourside route . The loss of the car-free status of The Esplanade will be sadly missed by visiting and touring cyclists, who frequent the road, as it is recommended on Fullers Ferries cycling map.

The celebration will have the relaxed and welcoming flavour that is characteristic of so much of Waiheke. We urge you to join in.

Comments (2)

By BarbC, April 15, 2013

Note – Monday update, with major amendment of project costs – see below 

Yes, that’s what it takes if one insists that cars should be allowed on a road that has been closed to cars, and used exclusively by walkers, cyclists and  horses  since 2010. The Esplanade on Waiheke was closed to motorised traffic as a trial in response to public demand. But now, a very expensive plan is being drawn up to  reconstruct the road and its seawall to allow for two way vehicle traffic, including ‘traffic calming measures’.

The cost of the project has been estimated to be at least $2m. It’s worrying that Auckland Transport sees fit to recommend this spending on a minor, secondary road, ahead of other more important and urgent road priorities on the island.  Suffice to say that the Waiheke Local Board is leading this ill conceived project, having given $180,000 of their local board funding to kick-start the opening of Esplanade to car traffic.

The road is an old piece of infrastructure built originally to access a wharf (now long gone). It was never built for two way car traffic and over the years has been increasingly vulnerable to erosion from the sea and slips from the cliffs above. It is claimed by some to be a major scenic route for car drivers, but in reality is mostly valued as a fishing spot and quiet route for walking and cycling, including by children travelling to all the local schools which are close to the eastern end of the road. The road has therefore received minimal maintenance, commensurate with it’s low status in the island’s road network for motor vehicles.

The wider Auckland region also has an interest in The Esplanade, as it was promoted as attraction in the National Cycle Trail bid for Waiheke. While other, recently approved National Cycle Trails have been harvesting a bonanza of visitors and tourist dollars for their regions, the Auckland and Waiheke bids have been gestating in AT, pending application to Wellington’s Cycle Trail Team. The plan to destroy the distinctive character of The Esplanade created by its exclusive use by walkers, cyclists and horses is regrettable in terms of Waiheke’s Cycle Trail bid.

A public meeting is to be held at 3pm, Saturday 13 April at the Ostend Memorial Hall to discuss the proposed work for The Esplanade and its upgrade for full car access. Representatives from the Waiheke Local Board and Auckland Transport have been invited. Further information (by Cycle Action Waiheke, one of the groups opposed to the reopening) is here, explaining why this project makes little sense.

Monday update – Auckland Transport were supplied with a copy of this blog, and advise that the costs referred to above, which we obtained from a recent report in the Gulf News, (and, we assume, from an earlier AT report to the Local Board) are out of date.

AT has completed a major review of the project, and the costs are now calculated to be $514,771 (This is made up of : Preliminary & General – $65,895; Foreshore protection –  $199,816; Existing Sea Wall Protection - $114,833;  Traffic Calming Works - $ 134,226) 

We understand that Saturday’s meeting was well attended (including Green MP’s Denise Roche and Julie Anne Genter, and Local Board Member, Don McKenzie). The updated costs were tabled. The meeting resolved:

• That this meeting of in excess of 150 people requests the Waiheke Local Board to keep the Esplanade closed to motor vehicles (except for emergencies) until a referendum is held on the subject.
• That this meeting requests the Waiheke Local Board to agree to defer the spending of Local Board Discretionary funding of $134,000 for traffic calming until a public discussion and referendum is held and that there is input to the text of the referendum from the wider community.
• That this meeting calls for those with a passion for this issue to organise themselves to continue with community information, engagement and advocacy.
  

Comments Off

By Max, February 16, 2013

I hadn’t been to Waiheke for a year – but CAA organises our annual ‘hui’ on Waiheke, in the hospitable home of our chair, Barbara Cuthbert. Half a weekend celebrating the past year, planning for the next, and enjoying the company of others working to make Auckland friendly for cycling.

I won’t talk much about the hui itself – though we hope that you will notice the improvements planned to CAA and for cycling. But I can tell you that it felt like a nice omen when riding up from the Matiatia ferry terminal, I reached the top, and saw the stretch of Oceanview Road north of Mako Street.

Gone was the cycle lane marked right in the door zone (see old photo) – gone was the car parking that made it into a deathtrap waiting to snap shut. Now, a cycle lane stretches all the way past Korora Road (see new photo).

I knew the changes had been made after we raised the issue last year (thank you, AT) – but its nice to have gotten around to finally have a look at it myself. As I have said before, for me personally its these small wins that keep me going in between working for the large ones.

Happy riding all, and also a shout-out to Cycle Action Waiheke. Always nice to visit your patch.

Comments Off

By admin, September 28, 2012

Did you know that Fullers, the leading ferry operator in Auckland, has been transporting bicycles for free for 20 years now?

In recent years they have added to that great start with support for the Auckland Harbour Bridge pathway (because they know more tourism on and across the Waitemata will be good for them too – ride/walk one way, take the ferry back, anyone?) and with the great “bikes on buses” scheme on Waiheke, allowing casual bike trippers a greater range across the island.

Hear Doug Hudson in this video talk about such initiatives and more. Here’s a company that has really understood that cycling is a win-win!

Comments Off

By Max, March 16, 2012

Just a short note from off-shore – The 3 bike racks recently installed on the front of Fullers’ buses on Waiheke have proven highly popular. On the right (Photo: Gill Alcock, Waiheke Marketplace) you can see the smiling chairs of Cycle Action Waiheke and Cycle Action Auckland, together with representatives from the Local Board and Fullers, when the racks were installed some weeks ago.

Following the success of the bus bike racks, Fullers have now cancelled the trial.

Okay, got you there, didn’t we? Early April Fools. The reason Fullers decided to declare the trial over is because they have already decided that the racks are so popular, they have ordered a whole new load of further racks. These will go to outfit buses on other Waiheke routes. We hear that the bike racks are already in the air from overseas, and may in fact even have arrived in NZ by now. So be ready to see them rolled out on even more routes on Waiheke. Oh, and taking your bike to Waiheke is free on Fullers’ ferries. Way to go – three cheers for Fullers!