The Waitākere Ranges Local Board trialled a cycleway from Savoy Road, along Captain Scott Road through to Glen Eden Town Centre and Glen Eden Train Station. Auckland Transport supported the Waitākere Ranges Local Board in delivering the project. The project was funded through the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Innovating Streets Fund and was co-designed with the community to provide a safe, dedicated lane for cyclists on Captain Scott Road.
The Cycleway was installed in May-June 2021. The Innovating Streets Programme allowed for consultation by trial. Temporary changes were made throughout the project, enabling experimental consultation. Minor changes were made to the cycle way, and to the speed bumps during the trial. Feedback from the community was received throughout the trial, and was collated for the evaluation process, along with cycle counts and speed data. In addition a community survey was conducted in February 2022.
The monitoring and evaluation of the trial was presented to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board in their July meeting for a decision on the future of the cycleway.
Some key findings from evaluation
- The number of cyclists increased to 34 cycling trips a day during a weekday in February 2022. This compares to 17 cycling trips a day before the cycleway was built.
- In the survey, 152 people said they used the cycleway, with 76 people saying they used it either a ‘few times a week’ or a ‘few times a month’.
- Nearly three quarters of those using the cycleway a few times a month or more say it has made it feel safer.
- Just under 60 percent of regular users said they supported the design, while 16 percent supported in part, or with an improved design.
- 64 percent of survey respondents said they did not support the trial. A loss of on-street parking, negative driver experience, visual appearance, and perceived lack of use by cyclists are cited as reasons for not supporting the trial by people who live near to it.
- 66% of survey respondents said the cycleway makes the road feel less safe when driving, due to narrowing, intersections and driveway exits. Of interest, the width of the cycleway (1.7m) is narrower that the width for on-street parking of 2.1m.
- Traffic speeds were slower, reducing from 57 km/h (85th percentile) prior to the cycleway being installed to 45.6 km/h (85th percentile)
- Covid19 restrictions have impacted the trial, as people changed the way they travel throughout this period. Public transport use has fallen across the region, schools were closed for a significant period, more people have been working from home.
The full evaluation report is available to download from the side menu on this page.
Trial Outcomes
The Waitākere Ranges Local Board made a formal decision at the July meeting remove the cycleway at the end of the trial. The Local Board reaffirmed its support for separated cycleways and improved footpaths.
A request was made for Auckland Transport to report back on:
- permanent traffic calming options on Captain Scott Road
- options for a permanent cycleway to extend the Waikumete Stream shared path
Investigation for these options are currently underway and will be reported back to the local Board following the upcoming Local Body election.
You can find the minutes of the meeting, 28 July 2022, at this location Local Board Agendas and Minutes
Background information
Project overview
The objective of the project is to create safer streets, with slower traffic on Captain Scott Road. The aim is to provide a separated bike connection for residents to the town centre, train station and schools.
The pop-up cycleway tests and extends the existing cycleway from a residential area through to shops, services and public transport in Glen Eden Town centre, improving cycling connections to schools and parks.
The time period for the trial was 8-12 months.
Benefits
- Connecting Glen Eden Train Station with the Project Twin Streams walking and cycling path at Savoy Road
- Provide people on bikes with a safe alternative to using cars
- Reducing speed on Captain Scott Road
- Completes a cycling route from Ceramco Park and Kaurilands Domain to the town centre
Timeline
May 2021 – Work starts to install the cycleway
May 2021 – May 2022 – evaluation period
June 2022 - Evaluation Report and recommendation went to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board for decision regarding the outcome of the trial.
July 2022 - A decision of the future of the cycleway was made by Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Project details
Features of the cycleway
- 1.7 metre cycleway on each side of Captain Scott Road
- The cycleway has a 200mm separator between itself the traffic lane
- The separators consist of flexi-posts and low linear barriers
- Rubber speed humps to reduce vehicle speeds in locations where cars and people on bikes come into close contact
- New road markings
