Waterfront Auckland is a strong partner for Cycle Action, leading the way amongst the CCOs with their innovative projects to welcome cyclists. We’re keenly awaiting the new wide boardwalk under construction.
This guest blog from Tom Warren, WA’s General Manager Marina, reports on how this project relates to the new judder bars that were a recent unpleasant surprise for cyclists.
The judder bars have been installed as a temporary measure to slow down cars and cyclists whilst works are underway to construct a walkway and cycleway along the marina’s edge that will make cycling in this area much safer.
Even prior to the works starting there was an emerging safety issue of walkers and runners being forced onto the road due to the narrow footpath along Westhaven Drive. The judder bars that were there did little to reduce car speeds because they were low and smooth. In some case vehicles have been travelling at up to 80 kph along there.
There have been a number of minor car and cyclist contacts along Westhaven Drive and with the addition of the disruption of the works on the walkway risk of a serious incident was increased.
Attempts have been made to engage the police on this matter but to act quickly, given its priority as a safety issue, the temporary judder bars have been installed. Our team reviewed various options for slowing cars, and the judder bars that have been installed were the smallest temporary options that they could find being 50mm high.
We’re aware about safety concerns from cyclists, however there is a definite gap where cyclists can ride without going over the judder bars. Furthermore we will move the outer end of the judder bars in a further half a meter either side. This will allow two cyclists at one time to go through. This is due to happen this Friday 21 February.
Our apologies about the inconvenience, but as you can appreciate we need to cater for the safety of all users along Westhaven Drive and we see this temporary measure as a way of ensuring it should be safer for all concerned. Once the civil works are completed later this year, the judder bars are intended to be removed and by then we’ll at least have a new walkway for the foot traffic in the area.
Editor’s note: The new boardwalk will also be open to (slower-speed) cyclists.