Firstly, it is important to note that I am a keen long distance runner looking forward to my 7th consecutive, Auckland Half-Marathon in October, and 7th Cathay Pacific Half Marathon in February. This year I also commenced cycling the streets of Auckland to assist in maintaining my fitness level as the impact of significant running took its toll. I also walk to meetings within approximately a 2km radius of my office on the CBD fringe.

This response is my personal view based on the community in which I live and work.

So I am very keen to ensure that there are decent footpaths and roads in our community. If I am elected as a Community Board member, I would use my influence where ever possible to ensure roads and footpaths were constructed in an appropriate way as to benefit all users.

Hobson has a significant concentration of schools and Universities. I would support initiatives that would reduce the number of students having cars at school, increase the use of school buses and public transport for Students. Some of these initiatives have already commenced with ARTA and the Universities launching an initiative recently.

Facilities are varied in the ward. Overall, the footpaths are in good order, except for a few streets. Most roads are satisfactory for biking, but certainly there are some that would benefit with a significant reseal.

I have the maps for the cycle routes in Auckland, and would certainly encourage their distribution and continual enhancement.

Certainly in my immediate vicinity, there are a significant number of people who walk, run or cycle regularly, and from all ages. The roads I bike on are hugely popular.

In Summary

Key improvements I see are:

1. Improved road surfaces, especially on the hard-chip roads.
2. Reduction in glass on the road!
3. Better lighting in quieter streets for safety
4. Bike sensitive traffic lights (there are some around)
5. Bike lanes where they are truly feasible
6. Dedicated bus lanes that can also be used by taxis with passengers

Key Dangers Encountered

1. Cars coming out of drive ways without checking for pedestrians
2. Smashed glass
3. Uneven surfaces, including man-hole covers

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling as a form of transport in your area?

 

Not specifically for our area but they are important forms of transport to ease congestion and reduce pollution etc.

 

 

  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

   Average

  3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

   I support lowered speeds around schools and on main school routes to encourage students to walk/cycle.

  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

   Yes, and we have funded a cycling route from the Maungakiekie Ward through to ours. We are also finalising plans for Glen Innes and Otahuhu cycling and pedestrian improvements, which you will see in the next financial year.

  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

I would say cycling is better as there are clearly marked cycle lanes although footpaths do tend to be markers for pedestrians.

  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

   No, but there are areas which are very difficult to use, for example around roundabouts.

  7.       What would you do about these barriers?

   We already work with council officers on cycing and walking routes in our areas, these identify barriers. Often we put our community board money into improvements for areas which are hard to access.

  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

   No.

  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

   We have them

  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

   We have one

  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

   We are constantly developing new plans for schools, the community board members sit on the advisory groups for each new walking school bus. We often suggest new routes and fund uniforms etc to encourage parents to take part.

We do not have a workplace one but its a great idea if people were coming from close.

 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

   

  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

  A integrated role with providers and see our street/park improvements holistically

  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

   I don't know

  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

  I will take a look at it

  16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

   

  Not cycle! That's a death wish and I don't look very good in one of those helmets. I walk for fitness not usually to get places - I catch the bus more often. 

 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and

  (b) cycling

  as a form of transport in your area?

   

      I lived in both Amsterdam and Swindon (UK) and know the benefits of both cycling and walking.  It will not become a viable form of transport in Auckland until we have better cycle/walking paths, not just a painted strip on the most uneven part of a public road.  I hope to get safer, dedicated paths established when and where possible.

   

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

  (a) pedestrians and

  (b) cyclists

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

   

      (a) average;  (b) poor.

   

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

 

No.  Not practicable.

   

4.      Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

       

Good ones.  Yes.

   

5.      How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

       

Not well signposted for cycle paths; as for walkers - "What sign posts?"

   

6.      Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

         

Motorways and the Auckland harbour bridge.

   

7.      What would you do about these barriers?

     

The new harbour bridge needs to cater for both walkers and cyclists and we need it soon.

   

8.      Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

     

No.

   

9.      If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

   

Yes.

   

10.    Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

   

There is a lot of talk about it but the practice is not obvious.  Note the Green Lane East road upgrade. 

   

11.    Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

   

The walking trains seem to work well.  Secondary schools and work places need to have safe cycle tracks to encourage this means of transport with age limits for drivers raised and/or restricted to discourage the use of cars.

   

12.    What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

   

Until the safety aspect is established there is little that can be done to encourage further use of cycling however, the right of way of pedestrians and cyclists must be enforced to the degree done in Amsterdam.

   

13.    What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

   

A council should always encourage better public health and should mitigate its by-laws to that end.  Both walking and cycling should be encouraged with support being given to sporting events that encourage these activities.

   

14.    Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

   

No idea.

   

15.    Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

   

I will read it then decide.

   

16.    Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both

   

I have two golden retrievers so I have no choice but to walk regularly and often.  I also cycle but not as often as I did when taking part in triathlons. 

1. What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling

as a form of transport in your area?

Increase in personal fitness, reduction in dependence on the private motor vehicle, reduction in greenhouse gas, particulates and other pollutants, reduction of traffic congestion, safer use of the streets etc etc.

2. How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

Quality of footpaths is increasing with Council spending three times as much this term on upgrading footpaths. Not enough cycle lanes and very difficult to retrofit them into an existing street environment. I supported the installation of cycle lanes on Mt Albert Rd despite determined opposition from some local people concerned about loss of car parking.

3. Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

Yes, 40K zones around schools particularly. This makes it safer for children to get to school by foot or cycle.

4. Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

Yes, the North Western Cycle Route goes across the bottom of my street. I use it frequently to walk to the city.

5. How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Better signposting for cycle routes than pedestrian routes, but overall signage is not very good. Auckland City has a cycling and walking strategy that is gradually improving aspects of these modes of transport, but under previous Councils, this has not been a priority.

6. Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can’t use? There are areas where the surfaces are not as good as they should be, but no inaccessible areas.

7. What would you do about these barriers?

Support Council’s walking and cycling strategy which is identifying and rectifying obstacles to walking and cycling

8. Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? No.

9. If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

Yes

10. Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes, there is a walking and cycling strategy and I support its continuing implementation and improvement.

11. Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes. I have worked on travel plans at several schools and suggested them to several workplaces. I have also promoted them s part of Resource Consent decisions.

12. What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? I have spent most of the last 12 months as Auckland City’s representative on the panel under the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act 2004, hearing submissions on the integration of land use and transport. The provision of facilities for transport modes such as walking and cycling and public transport has been an essential part of this work. These modes need to be at the forefront of planning right from the start. It is much easier to put them in at the beginning, than to retrofit an existing environment,

13. What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? The promotion of walking and cycling is an essential part of council’s responsibility for public health and safety. The provision of a safe, pleasant and accessible walking and cycling environment is an important way in which councils can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the population and the planet.

14. Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

For staff.

15. Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

Yes

16. Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

I cycle at the gym. Whenever possible, I walk to work. I run a twice-weekly walking group from the YMCA at Mt Albert. We have people from varying ages and levels of fitness who benefit from the exercise and from the company. I participate in walking races and walked the half marathon over the Auckland Harbour Bridge a few years ago.

   1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and

  (b) cycling

  as a form of transport in your area?

  It's faster to cycle almost anywhere in Auckland in peak periods. Due to traffic design priorities, in most cases the only advantage to walking is the health benefit.

  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

  (a) pedestrians and

  (b) cyclists

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

  Poor.

  3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

  Yes.

  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

  Yes.

  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

  Not very.

  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

  Yes.

  7.       What would you do about these barriers?

  Depends on the barrier.

  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

  Emergencies only.

  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

  Personally no. Most people in a community know where they can walk or cycle, and experience in Auckland suggests mapping takes up too much time and energy of both public agencies and advocacy groups.

  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

  It's in the process of being finalised.

  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

  Yes. They are being done by ARTA. The most significant barriers involve finding people to organise or volunteer for them. For example walking school buses are hardest to implement and and maintain in low income areas because both parents are more likely to be working. Councils have no way of getting around this short of staffing these initiatives themselves.

  12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

  Giving cyclists and pedestrians priority where possible, and ensuring cycling and walking are considered at the planning stages of roading and other developments.

  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

   

  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

   

  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

  I think I already have

  16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

  Yes. Both.

 

I am a keen cyclist, member of the Campaign for Better Transport and part of the anti-Sh20 motorway campaign  - which planned to come through the western part of Auckland City.

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and

  (b) cycling

  as a form of transport in your area?

  

  HUGE ADVANTAGES FOR BOTH - HEALTHY, QUICKER FOR LOCAL TRIPS, CLEANER, COMMUNITY SPIRITED, SAVING OF FOSSIL FUELS, ...

   

  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

  (a) pedestrians and

  (b) cyclists

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

   

  POOR

   

  3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

   

  DEFINITELY

   

  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

   

  YES

   

  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

   

  AVERAGE...BETTER FOR WALKING

   

  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

   

  MORE ABOUT RELUCTANT TO USE BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC VOLUMES, SPEED, LACK OF COURTESY, FUMES,

   

  7.       What would you do about these barriers?

   

  I AM FIGHTING FOR A DROP TRAFFIC SPEEDS, CYCLELANES EVERYWHERE ON ROADS, MELBOURNE TYPE CONSIDERATION FOR PEDESTRIANS, ....AND GETTING AUCKLAND A DECENT MODERN RAIL BASED INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM SO PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO GET IN THEIR CARS.

   

  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

   

  NO

   

  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

   

  WE HAVE THESE

   

  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

   

  YES IT DOES BUT IT JUST COLLECTS DUST ON A SHELF BECAUSE ALL THE $ GOES INTO ROADS AND MANY RESIDENTS PROTEST IF THE ROAD OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES GETS CONVERTED TO CYCLELANES AND THEY LOSE 'THEIR' PARKING SPACES.

   

  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

   

  WE HAVE WALKING BUSES FOR SCHOOLS, BUT LITTLE REGIONAL CARPOOLING PROMOTION

   

  12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

   

  AS ABOVE

   

  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

   

  HUGELY AND THE COUNCIL SHOULD JUST NOT PROMOTE IT, IT SHOULD PROVIDE FACILITIES THAT MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS

   

  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

   

  YES

   

  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

   

  DEFINITELY

   

  16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

   

  YES I DO BOTH REGULARLY

 

  1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and Has more of a health impact than a transport impact

  (b) cycling  Certainly has the potential to reduce dependence upon trditional methods of transport

  as a form of transport in your area?

   

  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

  (a) pedestrians and Poor

  (b) cyclists Average

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

   

  3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Yes

   

  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? In the main yes

   

  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Poor

   

  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? Yes

   

  7.       What would you do about these barriers?  To be considered on an individual basis within the processes currently in place within council

   

  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? No

   

  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Dependent upon the funding requirement and concerned groups commitment to the project

   

  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes they do

   

  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? These are an individual business and school responsibility, although council could be involved on a consultative and facilative basis.

   

  12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Lobby government to change the current rules on powered cycles which are out of step with all our neighbours.

   

  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Public health is a responsibility of Central Government, however I am happy for Local councils to contribute to infrastructure

   

  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Do not know

   

  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm I will consider once I have read it.

   

  16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both. Yes

 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling

as a form of transport in your area?

 

Reduced congestion, improved air quality, safer local roads, a healthier population, and better social cohesion as people actually get to meet each other

 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

 

On the whole, poor. Roskill's urban design is based around major arterial roads and very little provision has been made for pedestrians and cycleways.

 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

 

Yes, pedestrian safety is seriously compromised on many busy streets and traffic calming measures are necessary for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

 

There are a small number of dedicated walk routes (particularly overbridges) being set up around SH20. Not aware of any deidcated cycle lanes in the area.

 

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

 

Haven't noticed any the few times I have used these facilities.

 

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

 

Roadworks and increased traffic volumes have made a number of areas (particularly around Dominion Rd and Hillsborough Rd) very problematic for cyclists to use, although they are still technically able to.

 

7.       What would you do about these barriers?

 

Look at provision for dedicated cycle ways on key arterial routes.

 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

 

On the whole no. Occasional brief breaches of this rule by private citizens should not be unduly clamped down upon though.

 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

 

Absolutely! I am a keen walker and a volunteer on the Manukau Foreshore area where there are a range of tracks going through Auckland City's largest area of native bush. Greater publicity around walking and cycling routes is essential if we want to encourage people out of cars.

 

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

 

Yes, there is currently a framework (which is basically good), but it does not have specific projects and intiatives atttached yet. This should happen as a matter of priority.

 

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

 

Yes. Start by taking existing models (ie: walking school buses) and promoting them to schools in the area. Engage with large employers in Roskill to see if there are options for incentivising walking and cycling plans.

 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

 

Better promotion of the interesting places and routes in the area - make it interesting for people.

 

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

 

Council and Community Boards have an important role at the local level in working with communities to promote public health, and enabling this with adequate resources. Walking and cycling should be central to this as we know that moderate levels of physical activity are the best things out to improve public health outcomes.

 

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

 

I'm not elected yet so can't answer that one. I'll make sure there  is if I get in!

 

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

 

Yes, I heartily endorse it.

 

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

 

Yes, in particular I am a keen walker, both for recreation and to get to the bus stop on my way to work.

 

What do you see as the advantages of (a) walking and

  (b) cycling

  as a form of transport in your area?

  Healthy, non-polluting, quiet, leaves you feeling good.

    How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for (a) pedestrians and

  (b) cyclists

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

  There is almost nowhere designated for cycling in this area - it is not safe.  Thos who do cycle usually use the footpath which is not legal, but is safer than mixing it with the cars.

   

  Footpaths are slowly being improved.

   

  We are working on developing walkways, incorporating parks.

   

  Our Community Board sponsors walking guides and maps.

    Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Not sure.

    Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Not in all of Auckland.

    How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Signage is not great - something Community Boards can help with.

    Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? Do you mean motorways?

    What would you do about these barriers? Where possible (and safe) have parallel cycleways. Perhaps walkways, too, if sensible.

    Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Very few, if any.  It not only blocks the footpath to pedestrians; it also breaks up the footpaths - they are not built to take that weight.

    If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? I do support it.

    Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? ACC is developing a walking & cycling strategy - I went to a workshop recently.  It leaves a lot to be desired, but at least some effort is being made.

    Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes, support.  Promote CB giving financial help if asked.  Go to launchings, etc, when possible.

    What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? You have some suggestions other than supporting walking & cycling groups, maps and guides, Council plan, school travel plans, developing walkways?

    What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? It is up to people to take responsibility for their own health.  It is Council's responsibility to make it as easy as possible for people to make healthy choices.

    Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? I don't know. I doubt it.

    Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm I don't know it, and don't have time to read it now.  You could send the link again and ask for comments, but not for a couple of days, please - this has taken quite a bit of time, which is even more short than usual at the moment!.

    Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both. Yes, I walk regularly.

 

1. What do you see as the advantages of (a) walking and (b) cycling as a form of transport in your area?

Hobson is a reasonably hilly area with heavy traffic so cycling can be a difficult and dangerous exercise. However, many of the suburbs such as Parnell are close to the city so riding and walking a real commuting option.

Many of the residents of Hobson cycle for leisure, especially in the Tamaki Drive area, which makes the concept of a motorway in the area abhorrent.

2. How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for (a) pedestrians and (b) cyclists in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

I think pedestrians are reasonably well served, although I am not fully aware of the difficulties posed for walkers.

But cyclists are not really considered at all. Heavy trucks in the inner city and port area make cycling a perilous business. No real concessions are made for cyclists.

3. Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

The key here is to lift the standing of cyclists and pedestrian in the pecking order of vehicles. People in cars and trucks believe they have a greater right and therefore the right of way. This attitude needs to be changed by drafting stricter laws in favour of cyclists and pedestrians.

4. Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

There are cycle lanes on Tamaki Drive, Quay Street and the North Western Motorway, I am not aware of any others.

5. How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

Not well sign posted at all. The credibility of cycling and walking as activities vs vehicles lies at the heart of the problem. Signage and roading designs do not acknowledge these forms of transport. I believe fundamental changes need to be made to the law regarding the standing of cyclists and pedestrians.

6. Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can’t use?

Motorways and Harbour Bridge

7. What would you do about these barriers?

I think the cycle way on the North Western Motorway is an example of a good solution.

8. Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Unsure 9. If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Yes 10. Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Not sure and yes, although I believe we need more than councils to encourage the use of cycling and walking 11. Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

Yes and it would depend on the needs of each establishment. An initial approach from council would get the ball rolling but the people will need to champion the changes. 12. What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Create more interesting walks for people such as the board walk around Hobson Bay etc.

Start to promote cycling as a cool and fun activity not just a racing sport with garish clothes. Anyone who has been to Paris will know cycling can be viewed as a chic and real alternative form of transport.

Although in Paris they do not have to wear helmets, which I think are deterrent to using bicycles.

13. What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Health is a personal matter and a chore. Promote chic, fun and the actual walks and cycle ways, people will start to use them. Promote the fun not the grind.

14. Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? N/A

15. Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

16. Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

I cycle to work and home everyday, and my wife and family walk as much as possible.

a)  Walking is a human condition that is vital for healthy living on a personal level, a social level and an environmental level.

b)  Walking is an eco-friendly activity sustaining clean air, water and land systems.

 
c)  When walking we take the time to enjoy the natural and cultural environment that we live in.

 
d)  In short, walking connects us to life itself.

e) And the same goes for cycling.  Safe riding on bicycles around Auckland City is a luxury when it should be a matter of course.

f)  I live in my old family home in Ponsonby. 

      A fifth generation Aucklander, I used to walk everywhere from Newton until the motorway forced my family to shift house. 

      In the 1960s, I cycled around the City streets.  As a a twelve year old, I remember cycling to Mt Roskill and back without a problem. 

      Now cyclists put their lives at risk when doing the same.

  e)  These days, I walk to the City, to the library, to the local shops, and walk or catch the bus back home again. 

       As Mayor of Auckland City, I would walk to work as often as possible and invite others to join me.

       Council would be encouraged to join me and walk to meetings whenever possible.


  g)  When I walk around Auckland City, I take great pleasure in identifying with our cultural and natural heritage, as well as making instant connections with people.

  h)  Walking along a very busy Ponsonby Road, I've thought about the need to create cycling lanes.  Such planning would need the expert input from the walking and cycling community.

  2. How would I rate facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in my area?  Poor.  Footpaths are often a hazard.  Cycleways are usually non-existent.

  3.  I would support lower speed limits on certain streets to advantage cyclists and pedestrians. 

      Some overseas cities are planned around pedestrians and cyclists who have automatic right of way while motorists are required to wait.

  4&5.   I'm aware of a number of walkways but haven't cycled for some time. I am aware that cycling advocates are making a difference across the City, although access lanes/bridges still need work.

           Signage seems incidental. 

  6.7.& 8.  It is clear, that Auckland City transport systems have been built with motorists in mind. 

              This is the problem we face each day and an issue that I, as Mayor of Auckland City, would tackle immediately. 

  a) I believe that these local body elections are a critical watershed.   Direct road user charges - or tolls - are very much to the fore.   

      Public transport, cycleways and footpaths have been deliberately neglected or decimated so that people are coerced into cars. 

      Congested roadways will create toll revenue.

  b) Road Reform (1997) proposals involve the corporatisation and potential privatisation of the land transport network.

  Road Reform in its entirety will see: roads, cycleways, and footpaths operating as profit-making businesses as users are charged directly (tolled).

  c) Both the Labour-led government and the National-led government have increased Auckland's road capacity to make tolling feasible.

    The difference between the two parties is that the Labour-led government will toll the roads to repay debt and raise profits, while a National-led government will likely set up Road Companies (with the Crown and local Councils acting as shareholders) that may be privatised in the future.

  d)  As Mayor of Auckland City, I would continue to lead the public fight-back against tolls on roads, cycleways and footpaths.

  e)  As Mayor of Auckland City I would promote peoples' civil rights including: freedom of movement and freedom of association without e-tracking devices and without toll charges. 

       Our roadways, cycleways and footpaths would be free and open to all users.

  f)  As Mayor of Auckland City, my transport policy priorities would include: public transportation and the promotion of walking and cycling.


  8.  Parking on footpaths is not a feasible option.


  9.  A walking/cycling map on public display across Auckland City is a great idea.


  10.  Officials should already have walking/cycling strategies in place eg: the Walking School Bus.

        However, promotion and support for walking and cycling is not be all that it should be.


  11. As Mayor of Auckland City, I would promote walking, cycling and public transport networks. 

        I would seek free public transport for ages 60+ and children (as in London), for students (as in Palmerston North) and for disabled.


  12. For five years, I have actively promoted public transportation for workers (walkways, cycleways, small buses feeding to bigger buses; train systems, ferries). 


        Building roads is not: cost-effective (wasting many billions of dollars), environmentally sustainable, or socially acceptable. 


       At the moment, those with vested interests in building roads have the loudest voices in Council and Government transport circles. As Mayor of Auckland City, I would empower the people and bring the public voice back into the political arena.

 
  13)  In 2006 and with the support of the public, I helped instigate changes that resulted in the Government appointing a public transport-friendly CEO  of the MoT who has a particular interest in public-transport and climate change.

  d)  As Mayor of Auckland City I would seek the weight of Government funding to favour public transportation networks and systems in line with Kyoto Protocol Conditions. 

  e)  As Mayor of Auckland City, I would work closely with communities, Councils and the CEO of the MoT to instigate public transportation systems and climate change targets.

  f)  Climate Change Targets.

      As Mayor of Auckland City I would view walking and cycling policies as key items within Climate Change Targets.  Community groups would be invited to compile CC Targets.

  g)  As Mayor of Auckland City, I would like our streets to be people oriented - where adults and children can enjoy walking and cycling within a  safe, healthy, cohesive and vibrant community.

  15.  Yes.  I would be happy to sign and promote the Walking Charter.
 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling

as a form of transport in your area?

Walking and cycling have a number of advantages:

• Exercise
• Eco-friendly
• Take pressure off roads
• Promote neighbourhoods and community awareness

 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

Footpaths are fine though crossing of major roads can be problematic.

Cyclist have very limited facilities and generally have to fight with other road users.

 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

Generally not but would consider specific areas

 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

Yes, I use them.

 

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

Poor

 

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

No for roadways though some public spaces are restricted.

 

7.       What would you do about these barriers?

 

 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

Absolutely not apart from emergency vehicles

 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

Definitely for the whole country

 

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

Yes but could be enhanced

 

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

Yes, support organizations.

 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

Integration with public transport

 

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

In conjunction with other services Public health improves community.  An integrated approach is essential

 

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

Unsure

 

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

I will consider it

 

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

Both

 

1.    What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling

as a form of transport in your area?  Promotes active living and weight control; assists to ease congestion; reduces carbon emissions; and gets people out in their neighbourhoods.

 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths. Generally more than adequate pedestrian and cyclist facilities in the Eden Albert ward.  One exception is the likes of bike racks in public areas.

 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Yes.

 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Yes.

 

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Most routes are well sign posted, although suburban pedestrian walkways could do with being signposted the same as streets - possibly providing sponsorship opportunities.

 

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? Yes - primarily motorways.

 

7.       What would you do about these barriers? Leave as is currently in place unless there was a sound reason for change.

 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Only for major events where dispensation is specifically provided.

 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Yes.

 

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes, although I believe this needs to be integrated as a part of a wider transport strategy.

 

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes.  Promotion of Government funded interest free loans to install showers and cycle racks in workplaces may assist.  Also SPARC/Push Play supported promotion of active schools/workplaces as a part of a person's employment contract.

 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Integrate with wider transport strategy - ie public transport with facility for bikes onboard; walking to the bus stop to catch reliable bus services, etc.

 

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Council is a major player in public health, through providing facilities and infrastructure for citizens to be physically active as a part of their daily routines.

 

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Not sure.

 

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm  No.  I believe SPARC should be leading activities to coordinate developments along the lines outlined in the charter.

 

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both. No.  Although I do jog regularly using many of the same streets walkers use.

 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and Great form of low impact exercise, less reliance on other forms of transport.

(b) cycling As for walking but the concerns of personal safety require consideration.  The hilly nature of Auckland city has its challenges but in principle a great means of transport.  Dedicated cycle lanes would be of assistance

as a form of transport in your area?

 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and   good

(b) cyclists poor

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.  Yes

 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? As a last resort. Cycle ways preferred.

 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Yes

 

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Not aware of any signage.

 

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?   no

 

7.       What would you do about these barriers? n/a

 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Emergency service vehicles attending emergencies.

 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Yes

 

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? I believe so, and would support.

 

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? I do, but am not aware of any initiatives that I could support.

 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Engendering a paradigm shift to making people feel excited about enhancing their physical & emotional wellbeing by engaging in walking & cycling.  Enhanced educational initiatives. to raise awareness

 

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? As a partner with other stakeholders;. Schools, Health authorities.

 

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? n/a

 

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm  yes

 

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both. I walk everyday weekday to and from work and walk extensively at the weekends.

 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and

(b) cycling

as a form of transport in your area?

 Reduce traffic, independence, fitness, sense of fulfilment.

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

 They are improving. I have been working on the establishment of around 5kms of off road cycleways over the last six years. With the cycleway along SH20 we will have one of the best networks in an low decile established community in the country.

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

 Yes

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

 Yes

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

 Poor

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

 Yes

7.       What would you do about these barriers?

 Create alternative safe cycling / walking routes

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

 No

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

 Yes

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

 Yes

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

 Yes, of the 15 new school travel plans in Auckland this next year, 5 will be in Mt Roskill. No work travel plans as yet as far as I know. I am working with ARTA and Auckland city to make that happen.

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

 I plan to get a Cycle company to sponsor bikes in to school when the cycleway net work is in place.

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

 The roads will be at a stand still soon, the council must provide alternatives for people to get around, and promote them.

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

 Not sure

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

 Yes

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

 Yes, cycle to work 4 out of 5 days, walk every 2 weeks

 

Here are my answers to your questions.

 

1. Walking and cycling are good environmentally accepted methods of getting from place to place.
2. Walking facilities are ok, but cycling facilities are non existent.
3. Lowering speed levels is not the answer.  A dedicated cycle lane is the appropriate solution.  Integrating motor vehicles and cyclists would be a recipe for disaster.
4. I believe that in Western Bays there are only lanes for cyclists and pedestrians in the green zones.
5. I believe that they are well sign posted.
6. No.
7. It would depend on the reason for the barrier.
8. No.
9. Yes.
10. I am not sure if there is a strategy, but in the event there isn't one, I would support such a strategy.
11. Yes.  I am the Chairman of the Mt Albert Grammar School Board of Trustees, and the school is a signatory to such a plan.
12. Promoting the benefits to the individual and the community of such activity would be worthwhile.  Perhaps tickets to family venues eg the Zoo, MOTAT, etc.. for people committing to walking or cycling rather driving might be an incentive that works.  I prefer carrots rather than sticks to influence behaviour.
13. Improving peoples? health is a benefit to everyone, and should be supported by both local and central govt.  The benefits are to the environment, the quality of life of the individual, and to the 'public' purse with lower medical and hospital costs.
14. I do not know.
15. Yes.
16. I cycle at the gym for exercise 3 times a week (it is too dangerous to cycle on the streets in Western Bays), but I walk regularly as the footpaths, whilst needing improvement, are not too bad. 

 

  1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and low environmental impact, good exercise, opportunity to interact with neighbours, better opportunity to observe the neighbourhood, 

  (b) cycling as above

  as a form of transport in your area?

   

  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

  (a) pedestrians and good

  (b) cyclists     fair

  in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

   

  3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Definitely

   

  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Yes

   

  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.  Not very well, more work to be done

   

  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?   Not too many in our ward, but there are some spaces with reduced accesability

   

  7.       What would you do about these barriers?   Look at removing them

   

  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?  Rarely

   

  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?   Yes

   

  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?    Yes

   

  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?  Yes - Several of our schools have had them this year - very popular and a great up-take

   

  12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

   

  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?   It's great, low-impact exercise.

   

  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?   No - needs one

   

  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm    Yes.

   

  16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.  Regular walker - and I enjoy it!

   

 

 

  1.       What do you see as the advantages of

  (a) walking and

  (b) cycling

  as a form of transport in your area?

 

a. Walking serves as an important part of the public transport system - every journey involves at least some walking so making that part of the journey as safe and convenient as possible is essential; also shortening walking distances can significantly increase the area within 10 minutes of a bus stop or rail station.

Walking also provides other benefits (personal fitness, fosters greater sense of community - you can talk to those you meet on foot, very difficult in a car - reduces need for expenditure on upgrading roads car parking, etc., less cars on road reduces ambient pollution, etc., etc.

b. Cycling is more suitable for longer distances than walking but provides many similar benefits

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and

(b) cyclists

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

a. Footpaths have been allowed to deteriorate over the decades, though there is a vigorous upgrading programme underway in our city.  Safe crossing points for busy roads, motorways and railways need to be increased in number and quality.  There are also many places where pedestrians have to take lengthy detours - if these could be reduced or avoided by provision of more direct routes the ability of pedestrians to get around would be significantly increased.

 

b. Off-road cycling connections should be extended - but not at the expense of pedestrians.  A number of existing walkways are being rebadged as cycleways - albeit with "Share with Care" signs and I think this policy needs to be rethought as there are some (granted a small minority) of cyclists who take the Cycleway label too litterally and unsettle walker by roaring past at high speed.  This whole culture of sharing paths needs much more work.

 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?

Yes.  I would like to see lowered speeds in commercial centres where there is a high pedestrian count, and especially where there are viable detours to take arterial traffic volumes and speeds.  Eventually, I would also like to see residential neighbourhoods have a lower posted speed limit, but this requires a change in public perceptions/attitudes to be effective - you can't just stick up a forest of signs and expect immediate compliance.  Auckland City is embarking on an experimental suburb-wide scheme in Glenn Innes which has the worst accident statistics of any suburb.

 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?

 Yes - as an active member of Walk Auckland I am well aware of most if not all waking and cycling routes, certainly within Auckland City.

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.

 In the main only key routes are signposted - mainly the cycleways, and a few tourist routes such as the Coast-to-Coast Walkway.  Wayfinding is supposedly a key element of the Walking & Cycling Strategy but there is still a long way to go.

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?

 There are a few key links - eg. the Wellesley Street Bridge that could provide a pedestrian/cycling connection from the city across the motorway to the Domain has no side-walk despite vigorous lobbying - tourists frequently try to walk there in the teeth of oncoming cars as their little road maps appear to show a convenient route.  Walk Auckland still has this one in its sights.  There are many other minor impediments in suburban spaces, some of which involve land purchase/easements/rights to occupy and thus could be moderately expensive, but should I think be part of the city's long-term plan to extend and improve the pedestrian.  These shortcuts are more significant for pedestrians than cyclists because of their lower speed  i.e. a 500 metre detour adds 10-15 minutes to a pedestrian's journey time but may only add a few minutes to that of a cyclist

7.       What would you do about these barriers?

 

I intend to make elimination of such barriers one of my personal agendas on Council by arguing for a dedicated annual fund for just that purpose "extending the pedestrian network"

 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?

 

A tricky one.  In principle no, but there are circumstances where short term parking close to the site where heavy goods are being delivered or collected may require parking on a footpath crossing point.  This is not the same as long term or overnight parking as is frequently seen.

 

We have a conundrum in our ward where several very old streets are particularly narrow and have tiny house sites with limited opportunities for off-street parking.  If the residents park their cars legally the road is reduced to only one narrow lane requiring cars to give way and preventing passage of larger vehicles (eg. rubbish truck, fire engines, etc.).  So footpath parking in these streets has become endemic, despite regular ticketing by Council.  The Council's long term solution has been to strip out parking completely down one side (halving the parking supply) which annoys the residents even more than being fined.  A possible solution is to reduce the footpath on one side to a minimal strip (say 1 metre only), but this would require expensive relocation of underground services and only slightly widen the carriageway.  Watch this space as this issue continues to generate more heat than light.

 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?

 Working on that funded by the Community Board which I chair but being produced by Walk Auckland

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?

 Auckland had the first such strategy (adopted 1998) and it is currently being reviewed

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?

 Yes - have worked with local community on 3 school travel plans in our area, with others to follow next year.  We assist where we can with the travel plan programme, which is largely being driven by ARTA - their policy is to go for the larger employers first so we have not seen very many business travel plans in our patch which is largely residential and small business.

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?

 - Long term planning to ensure that residential areas are within reasonable distance of employment, shopping, educational, etrc, areas.

- a policy as suggested above of progressively improving the walking/cycling network to make more convenient connections between journey origins/destinations

- traffic calming and other measures to improve safety and make walking/cycling journeys more pleasant (or at least less unpleasant).

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?

 Yes Council has a role as facilitator of increased walking and cycling - Council must provide safe and convenient facilities for pedestrians and cyclists before any campaign to encourage greater use can have real impact.

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?

 Council has a staff travel plan in place.  Even if this only has moral force, I would like to see senior staff including the CEO required to use PT or cycles to get to work at least a certain number of days per month - not so much to reduce their carbon footprint but to ensure that they have some hands-on familiarity with the issues facing pedestrians/cyclists and public transport users.

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

 Already signed when it was launched at the Walking Conference last year.

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

 

 

Yes I walk regularly - only an occasional cyclist.  I also lead suburban walking "tours" eg. yesterday I conducted a 3hour heritage walk of our suburb as part of Heritage Week.

 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area? Reduce car use; improve safety, good for the environment, and good for health
 
2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and  Improving for pedestrians
(b) cyclists - a lot more work to do for cyclists - we need a round the island cycle-way circuit for Waiheke Island.
 
3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Yes
 
4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? In most places
 
5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Variable signage
 
6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? Yes - many footpaths
 
7.       What would you do about these barriers? Vote
 
8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?  Depends on the conditions, the footpath and the reason.
 
9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? NA
 
10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes, but it requires an implementation plan
 
11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Vote
 
12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Cycle ways, cycles on trains and buses
 
13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? A local authority's main business is public health.  That is what they were first created for. How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Cycle versus car injuries are an important issue,
 
14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Yes - but not in the conventional sense
 
15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm
 
16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? Yes 
 

1. What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area?

Health, safety, a feeling of community

2. How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and - average
(b) cyclists - poor There is much to be done especially in regards to cars.
in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

3. Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Definitely, starting with Ponsonby Road!

4. Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Yes, but not many locally.

5. How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. See above.

6. Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can’t use? No

7. What would you do about these barriers? n/a

8. Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Yes.

9. If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Yes.

10. Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes, ARTA is making great strides working with Council.

11. Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes, I would take issues like safety, convenience and potential pleasure into account. More seating locally would be great.

12. What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Encourage walking school buses. Retain school zoning. Make the area beautiful!

13. What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Council should be involved with physical, mental and emotional health of constituents.

14. Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Don’t know. Probably.

15. Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm. If I can find it.

16. Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both. Yes, I’m retired and I enjoy walking whenever possible.

 

1.      What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area?
What I love about walking and cycling is that you get closer to nature, you are part of your environment. You can travel at a more human speed and you can observe the world around you, birds, trees and changes in the community. Walking and seeing the destruction caused by contractors to trees, footpaths and waterways is one of the reasons I was motivated to stand for Mayor.


2.      How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for in Auckland
(a) pedestrians and  Needs improving
(b) cyclists             Needs improving
in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.
 
3.      Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Yes

 
4.      Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are? Yes, unfortunately many are near unloved and uncared for waterways in Auckland see my website (www.council-watch.com) Waterways!

 
5.      How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Signage is OK.

 
6.      Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? yes

 
7.      What would you do about these barriers? I think walkways and cycleways should provide alternative routes not beside dirty smelly motorways. They should be integrated with the environment not imposed upon it.

 
8.      Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?
        It is important to provide safe parking places where walkers and bicycle riders can have options as to how far they travel. Round trips are more fun then turning back the way you came. Walking with children or dogs means you need parking if there is no linking system or round routes provided.


9.      If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Yes of Course

 
10.  Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?
Yes to both, but Auckland's plan needs upgrading to stop creating walk/cycle ways right beside the motorways!

 
11.  Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes. I would encourage more walking buses, car pooling and hybrid minibus pick/drop off services for school children

 
12.  What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity? Create more safe off street walking  and bikeways. Separate them so cyclists don't frighten walkers, but keep them close enough that they are safe because they are busy and populated.

 
13.  What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? The council has an important role in promoting public health by providing more opportunities for people to enjoy walking and cycling.  The health of our families will improve and our environment will be less polluted if we looked at alternative forms of private and public transport.

 
14.  Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Don't know!

 
15.  Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm Yes

 

16.  Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? Yes

We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.