Greens to build three times more cycleways than National

"The Green Party will build three times the length of safe, separated cycleways than National over the next three years," said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman today.

Dr Russel Norman joined Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown to cycle the route of one of the new, planned cycleways connecting Island Bay to Wellington's city centre.

"We've been waiting too long for National to build safe, separated cycleways to ensure New Zealanders can cycle safely around our towns and cities," Dr Norman said.

"The Green Party's investment of $300 million over three years will ensure that the most urgently needed cycleways in our cities are built.

"National's proposed $100 million commitment is a small fraction of what is actually needed to do the job properly.

"People living in places like Island Bay are within easy cycling distance to downtown but are discouraged by the complete lack of a safe route.

"Wellington, like every other major town or city in the country, has a deficit of safe, separated cycleways and a huge pent-up demand to use them.

"For example, a safe cycling route between Wellington and Lower Hutt - the route top safety cop Steve Fitzgerald was killed on - has languished for years from a lack of funding. The Green Party would spend $47 million in Wellington alone to get this and other routes like the Great Harbour Way constructed connecting Wellington all the way around the coastline to Eastbourne safely.

"We are missing a huge opportunity for cycling to be a serious, cost effective transport option for short trips. The Green's investment will make cycling a realistic and enjoyable alternative for many commuters.

"More than half of peak hour trips in New Zealand are less than five kilometres - a distance that can be easily cycled by many of us.

"Surveys show many New Zealanders want to cycle more, but they don't feel safe. Our plan will increase cycle safety and free up our roads for those who need to drive.

"And the health benefits alone are huge, outweighing the construction costs by a factor of 24."

Latest Transport Announcements

Story

National put climate action into reverse gear

The National Party’s plan to install EV chargers while at the same time making it harder for people to buy an EV is bizarre and ridiculous.
Read More

Story

Prioritising roads over climate is simply irresponsible

The Government’s decision today to prioritise new roads is the exact opposite of what Aotearoa needs right now and needs a rethink.
Read More

Story

Irresponsible Auckland harbour crossing bad for climate and bad for congestion

Throwing tens of billions of dollars at another six lanes of traffic is not going to solve Auckland’s congestion problem - and is grossly irrespons...
Read More

Story

It’s official! The Green Party the only grown-ups in the room on public transport

People are tired of the three yearly public transport merry-go-round. It literally doesn’t get anyone anywhere.
Read More

Story

National’s transport policy rehash of failed ideas

The National Party's visionless obsession with highways is the exact opposite of the smart investment Aotearoa needs in zero-emissions transport in...
Read More

Story

ACT policy will create roads exclusively for the well-off

ACT’s proposal for private highways will see only those who can afford to pay expensive tolls able to use the roads.
Read More