Temporary Cycle Path Trials on Hutt Road

What did we do?

We tested different options, using temporary materials, to see what designs would be most effective in reducing potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. The trials were in place from late July through to early September 2022.

We engaged with parents, the day-care facilities, cyclists, and pedestrians to inform these trials and the final design for the two-way cycle path as part of Let's Get Wellington Moving's Thorndon Quay Hutt Road project.

Example cross section showing proposed design for the two-way cycle path on Thorndon Quay.

From our earlier consultation in 2021, stakeholders told us that there are conflicts outside of the two childcare facilities on Hutt Road, particularly regarding issues with cyclist speeds and conflicts between cyclists and parents / caregivers and children crossing the two-way cycle path from and to parked vehicles.

There were two trials, involving different layouts and materials on the cycle path and surrounding footpath.

We trailed new signage, white line markings to delineate edges, installing temporary tactile pavers and an informal crossing across the cycle path, as well as using additional red markings on the approach to the area to give cyclists an earlier warning.

 

In the second trial we used two temporary raised zebra crossings, tactile pavers, give way markings on the approach to the crossing, as well as temporary removable lighting. We are also trialling some pavement art as another option to see if we can improve how parents / carers and their children move through the area.

The report of our findings

The findings from the trials were shared in a report with the Thorndon Quay Hutt Road design team to help them determine what changes will work best to manage conflicts between the different user groups on Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road, as well as feeding into other work across Let’s Get Wellington Moving and other partner projects

A copy of the report and a summary of the engagement that took place during the trials can be found here:

Comms and Engagement Summary

Monitoring Report

The findings from this report will be used alongside other data to evaluate the trials.

Special thanks to the organisations listed below for being so generous with their time, knowledge and assistance.

The managers from Active Explorers; BestStart; Te Puna Reo O Ngā Kakano; Wellington Dance Academy and Co Kids Childcare; as well as representatives from Living Streets Aotearoa; Cycle Wellington; Hutt Cycle Network; and Doctors for Safe Active Transport.

There may also be learnings from this trial or recommendations that could have wider application across Wellington or nationally.

This forms part of a growing body of evidence that contributes to higher-quality designs for streets and places. This is of critical importance in terms of supporting more people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys, recognising the multi-faceted role that streets play in our cities and the need to balance the competing demands for limited road space.