Our Submission

 

Bike Taupo wishes to present this submission to the Council in person at a hearing and would prefer to do this in Taupo.

 

1.       Bike Taupo supports that increased pedestrian and cyclist use and alternative transport modes are also all key outcomes that are sought from the development of the ETA. With the opening of the ETA Taupo has “a once in a lifetime” opportunity to create a liveable community.

 

2.       Bike Taupo supports the goal of refocusing Taupo towards pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. This should involve an integration of all facilities and services. For example, all public buses should have provision to carry bikes.

 

3.       Bike Taupo supports the statement that the needs of pedestrians and cyclists must be given precedence if the quality of Taupo’s public realm (public spaces including streets, laneways and open space) is to improve.

 

4.       Bike Taupo opposes the provision of extra carparks in the Taupo Town Centre. This will not improve the quality of Taupo’s public realm but only increase the number of people using cars. Instead there should be a focus on improving the environment and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

5.       There should be an urgent priority on the provision of cycle lanes on key routes into and around the Taupo Town Centre and / or consideration given to reducing the speed on these key routes

 

 

 

Bike Taupo Incorporated is a cycling advocacy group that was incorporated in 2002 to provide the Taupo community with a voice for cycling.  Bike Taupo currently has 1591 members.

Cycling has many benefits – it provides an environmentally friendly form of transport that keeps people healthy and fights obesity, is a fun recreational activity. Economically, it is very important to the Taupo District through events such as the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and visitors who come to ride the local roads and tracks. Bike Taupo has recently received $2.1 million to build a cycle trail around Lake Taupo.

Cycling (and walking) improves the liveability of our community by increasing economic activity, improving safety and personal security and increasing community accessibility and cohesion. Increased cycling particularly for short trips also helps reduce transport emissions and improve public health.

Liveability refers to the environmental and social quality of an area as perceived by residents, employees, customers and visitors. This includes safety and health (traffic safety, personal security, and public health), local environmental conditions (cleanliness, noise and air quality), the quality of social interactions (neighbourliness, fairness, respect, community identity and pride), opportunities for recreation and entertainment, aesthetics and existence of unique cultural and environmental resources.

A liveable community forms the conditions that encourage people to cycle and walk, while more people walking and cycling help to create a more liveable community. 

 

Bike Taupo would like to thank the Taupo District Council for its ongoing support and asks that the Council continue to support the promotion and development of cycling in the Taupo District.

 

Yours Faithfully

 

Thomas Schwarz

Bike Taupo, Chairperson