Active-mode projects aimed at reducing transport emissions and improving road safety are being rolled out across the region as part of the council’s Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme.
The new $3 million, three-year programme, which will be delivered by Auckland Transport (AT), is one of the climate action initiatives agreed in the council’s 10-year Budget.
The seven projects, which were endorsed at the March Environment and Climate Change committee, will be delivered outside of the city centre and will use trials, temporary infrastructure changes, education programmes and other complementary initiatives to encourage uptake of walking, cycling and micromobility.
Environment and Climate Change committee Deputy Chair Councillor Pippa Coom says the programme is a small step forward on our journey to achieving our transport emission reduction and road safety goals.
“The projects that have been endorsed as part of the Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets (previously known as Regional Streets for People) programme are all aimed at making it easier and safer for locals to use alternative methods to get around their neighbourhoods, and encouraging, for example, riding bikes to school instead of driving.
“While we know that we need large-scale systemic change if we want to see zero deaths on our roads and dramatically reduce our transport emissions, enabler programmes such as these all help to make up the bigger picture, and have the potential to have a massive impact on how we do things in the future.
“Getting out of our cars is not only better for the environment but it’s better for our health too, so if we can encourage locals to embrace these projects and try a new way of getting around, it really will be a win-win for their communities.”
The projects
The endorsed projects seek to benefit the whole Auckland region, from Bayswater in the north to Papakura in the south, Glen Eden in the west and Pakuranga in the east.
The projects also range in scale, from installing semi-permanent cycleways to hosting community events that raise awareness of active modes (cycling, scooters and walking), providing access and skills training for e-bikes, to implementing community-run ‘Bike Hubs”.
The full list of successful projects can be found below.
|
Project Name |
Project Description |
|
Puketāpapa: he Taunga Pahikara/ a cycling haven |
A community based non-infrastructure project to support children and families to access current cycling infrastructure and support services. |
|
Mangere e-bike Trial - Stage 2 |
To trial and evaluate the use of e-bikes in multiple settings in Māngere. Providing access, skills training and support to Māngere residents who are novice e-bike riders. |
|
Safe Riding Programme - Otara |
A Safe Riding Programme that targets tamariki and rangatahi to provide safe riding opportunities in Ōtara and sets them on a path to becoming “bike safe”. |
|
Bayswater Avenue Cycleway |
Bringing forward the benefits of this future permanent project by delivering a bi-directional cycleway through the use of trial and semi-permanent infrastructure. |
|
Building Better Bike Hubs |
A new AT-owned concept for community-run Bike Hubs across the region. |
|
Konini School - Safer Streets |
A partnership with Konini School (Glen Eden) and community to test out aspects of the school transport plan, including wayfinding options, possible pop-up cycleways and creating safer crossing points. |
|
Avondale Open Streets Activation |
Avondale Open Streets Activation will deliver a series of events, activations and night markets with an 'open streets' element by making part of the Avondale town centre temporarily car-free. |
The programme received 19 expressions of interest and each application was evaluated by a panel made up of representatives from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku.
Successful applications were able to demonstrate the project’s potential to reduce emissions and improve air quality, respond to local enthusiasm, support Māori outcomes, improve safety, be rolled out rapidly and be scaled up in the future.
Environment and Climate Change Committee Chair Richard Hills says Auckland Council is currently consulting on a further package of more substantial climate action through the Annual Budget.
“To step up our climate response in Auckland we’ve proposed a Climate Action Targeted Rate that will enable investment of more than $1 billion in emissions reduction initiatives over the next decade,” says Richard.
“We want to hear what Aucklanders think about this proposed package which, amongst other things, will fund the delivery of 79 hydrogen or electric buses and seven low-emission ferries, 35kms of walking connectivity improvements, the completion of key sections of cycling infrastructure, and the planting of thousands of native trees across the region.
“Please visit akhaveyoursay.nz/budget before 28 March to have your say.”
