If elected to represent Waitematā & Gulf, I, Patrick Reynolds, pledge:
I believe people of all ages should feel able to bike safely to get around. Auckland needs more climate-friendly transport to ensure a sustainable and resilient Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, protecting our environment and communities for future generations. If elected, I commit to making a safe, connected cycle network a priority.
Comments
To deliver a balanced transport system we need to invest consistently and astutely in the currently incomplete networks, including the long agreed safe bike network, and the similarly long planned rapid transit network. Delivering these as cost effectively as possible is basic good governance.
Then real choice will be available to more people at more times, in more places, for more journeys. This does not dictate to anyone how they should choose to move, quite the reverse in fact, it will increase the range of available and effective choices and individual freedom.
Additionally it will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of driving for those that choose that mode, by enabling more people the opportunity to choose to get out of their way on the roads. Traffic congestion in a growing and land-constricted city like Auckland can only be reduced by improving the quality of the alternatives.
More that a third of the population can’t drive or don’t drive; they are too young, too old, too ill, too poor, or just hate it. Enabling these groups to more engage fully in the economy and society with independence is a powerful benefit for everyone. In highly auto-dependent cities like Auckland a lot of valuable time is wasted not just in congestion, but also through family chauffeuring of others, for example the school run. We know that traffic congestion drops around 10% in the school holidays. It is well understood that systems that enable safe cycling, walking, and PT to education enables greater freedom, independence, and maturity for young people. As well as better concentration in class.
Sufficiently complete bike networks make for happier and healthier populations, saving measurable sums in the health system. It is also well proven that networks that are safe for cycling and walking are also safer for all users, including drivers. Delivering and maintaining at least a minimum viable network for each of driving, riding and using public transit is a core task for an effective urban transport system.
Detailed commitments
-
- Partially agree – I support increasing cycling and walking’s share of the transport budget to the UN-recommended 20%.
-
- Agree – I support building cycleways to connect Auckland and fill existing gaps, including crossing the Harbour.
-
- Agree – I believe cycleways can be delivered affordably and quickly.
-
- Agree – I support connecting neighbourhoods to major cycleways, destinations like schools and workplaces, and transport hubs through supportive Local Board funding.
-
- Agree – I support calming traffic around schools and residential areas to create people-friendly spaces.
-
- Agree – I will work to ensure new Safety Plans are in place quickly so children and adults can walk and bike safely.
-
- Agree – I support following the Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) to significantly cut transport emissions by promoting walking and cycling.
And find out which other candidates have taken the Bikeable Auckland pledge.
