The Greenways concept is really capturing hearts & minds across Auckland, and more and more Local Boards are seeing it as a key feature of their work.
And why not – there’s nothing in transport that is more LOCAL than making it easy to walk and cycle to – or with – your neighbours and friends, and visit the local park, library or shop on foot or bike.
Cycle routes are also wonderful news for local town centres, as people shop much more there if they are easily accessible. People go to the next fruit stall or bakery, instead of a supermarket miles away.
So it is awesome to see that the Albert-Eden Local Board is also developing their own Greenways concept. You can see their map at the right. And if you are from the local area or often visit there, you are invited to provide feedback on the plan.
What we aren’t so sure about – not much information is given – is how many of the new Albert-Eden routes will provide for quality cycling (Greenways routes in our current context usually but not always provide for cycling – sometimes for example, they might include very narrow sections, or stairs). So it would be great if you wrote in and provide support for as many and as high-quality cycleable Greenways as possible.
You can also identify which of the 3 priority routes shown on the map you think should be first off the block to be developed:
P3 Heron Park to Holly Street (in Waterview)
P5 Meola Creek Connection (through northern Mt Albert)
P6 Roy Clements Treeway to Mt Albert War Memorial Reserve (eastern Mt Albert)
Auckland is seeing more and more of these projects. They aren’t well resourced yet – funding remains minimal, compared to roading and motorways. But because cycling infrastructure is so cost-effective, that need not dismay us. Go and support this great initiative!
