A raised crossing is part of the plans. Photo: New Plymouth District Council / supplied
A proposal to create $17 million worth of safe walking and cycling routes in New Plymouth is dividing the city.
Schools say dedicated cycle lanes will improve children's safety, but businesses fear a loss of car parks will threaten their viability - and some cyclists question the need for protected bike lanes.
Waka Kotahi wanted to create four kilometres of cycle lanes protected by concrete barriers on South Road and Devon Street West, the part of the Surf Highway (State Highway 45) running west of New Plymouth's town centre.
Another four km along State Highway 44, or Breakwater Road and St Aubyn Street, linking the centre of town with the port was also planned.
Sharon Devlin, co-owner of Graphix - a design business on Devon Street West - said it might be left with just one on-street car parking space.
Co-owners of Graphix, Shane and Sharon Devlin. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
"We're a business that handles heavy items. We are a manufacturer of heavy items and large items that become sales as soon as they walk out the door, so having close car parks is essential."
Devlin - who started a petition against the proposals - did not know if she would be able to carry on.
"I'm not sure to be honest. It's going to severely affect our business. If our clients can't come to us and can go to someone else, then they will do."
Stephen Parkes who owns Tiger Town Treasure Trove on St Aubyn Street was ready to throw in the towel.
Owner of the Tiger Town Treasure Trove, Stephen Parkes. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
"I'm only gonna get two parks and I've got trucks to unload, I've got customers to serve. It's just not going to happen.
"I've started filling out a form to try and sell, but I mean, who'd want to buy it?
"I'm in a no-win situation and I've got the landlord wanting to put the rent up at the same time, so it might be time to retire, I think."
Parkes pointed out the Coastal Walkway was only one block from St Aubyn Street and it was already a cycleway.
Waka Kotahi is funding the proposals as part of its $350 million Transport Choices programme. They also included raised pedestrian crossings, shared paths and intersection improvements.
Principal of Spotswood Primary School Mark Fisher, on the South Road part of SH45, was a fan.
Azaria, left, and Amelia, with Spotswood Primary School principal Mark Fisher. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
"I've been at this school for 18 years now and in that time traffic has noticeably increased, so it is actually quite tricky and difficult for the children coming to school on their bikes.
"I think the most important thing for us [in this proposal] is that the children will have a safe place to bike along."
Amelia McDonald, 10, got it.
"I think that's way better than having it just like this, because a car could just come in at any time. I do like biking and biking on the road is fun, but it's not that safe when you're a kid."
But Aaron Rump - who was cycling on the Coastal Walkway - did not see the point of the new bike lanes.
"I cycle around those areas anyway and both those main roads, to me there's plenty of room off to the side of the vehicle lanes for cyclists. Good visibility and we've also got this walkway, so we use this quite a lot as well."
He was more concerned about the small businesses that would potentially lose their on-street parking.
Cyclists Justine and Aaron Rump. Photo: Robin Martin / RNZ
Justine Rump did not think the cycleways would encourage more kids to use bikes either.
"Parents don't want to put their kids on bikes - they're scared they'll get run over."
She did not think dedicated routes would make it safer.
"No, because you've still got to be seen, so whether you've got a track that's a metre wide or a track that's three metres wide, you still aren't going to be seen … if kids really liked biking, they'd be doing it now."
The New Plymouth District Council is seeking feedback on the proposals until 21 August.
How part of the proposed cycleway might look. Photo: New Plymouth District Council / supplied
