The Residents Association has worked with the Orakei Local Board to respond to an initial scheme plan from Auckland Transport (AT) to reduce traffic speed on Gowing Drive. While AT proposed a series of side islands and kerb build-outs to slow traffic at four points along Gowing Drive, we have recommended modifiying these to allow cyclists to ride to one side of the build-outs rather than over and in the way of vehicle traffic. Here’s an example from Auckland Council’s Design Manual . We have also recognised significant community demand for safe access across Gowing Drive, which pinch points such as kerb build-outs don’t provide. We have recommended a raised pedestrian crossing for the section of Gowing Drive between Rutherford Terrace and Archdall Street. This is designed to provide safe pedestrian access for our most vulnerable residents: children and their parents walking to and from local primary schools and family groups walking or using scooters to get to Rutherford Reserve on Archdall Street, as well as residents walking to and from the Dorcester Dairy and food outlets at the busy Dorcester St and St Johns Road intersection and commuters getting to and from bus stops on St Johns Road and Gowing Drive. It’s also the view of the Residents Association that a raised level crossing will play a major role in reducing traffic speed at the busiest end of Gowing Drive. The Residents Association also reviewed AT’s recommendations for on street carparking restrictions and sought to rationalise their plans where possible. These recommendations and others were provided to Auckland Transport by Orakei Local Board in June for their response.
You can read more about the problem pinch points that kerb build-outs can create for cyclists here and this picture sums it up quite well:
And here are some examples to make pinch points safer for cyclists. AT’s Code of Practice also notes the issues with pinch points for cyclists and recommends alternative measures be considered before recommending kerb build-outs.
