Stay. They were a pain to put in, but are used and reflect good future alternative sustainable transport.

The first question ought be, \\\"can the Lake Road cycle lanes be removed\\\"?

By statute cycles are to be ridden on the road and not on on the foorpath. The cyclist is therefore a recognised user of the road.

Given that the Lake Road cycle-lanes were introduced in order to make it safer for cyclists, the lanes removal would open Council to legal challenge in that they are making the road more dangerous for the cyclists.

A legal opinion I have sighted relating to another part of New Zealand gave credence to the situation that where action taken by a Council to make a road more dangerous to a user of the road then Council ran a real risk of committing a legal breach.

Therefore unless the relevant Act is changed by Parliament I beleive discusion on the removal  of the cycle lane is academic.

My personal opinion is that cycle lanes should be off road and part of the footpath network.  I think for the majority of commuter cyclists this would work well along Lake Road.  I understand they would not be suitable for the roadsters but my observation is that they are out and about very early before there is traffic and are perfectly save on the road.  So to answer the question there should be cycle lanes along Lake Road but they should be off road as part of the footpath network. 

Awaiting response

I consider that they sould stay, however I totally support funding to sort out the Winscombe/Bardia intersection where the pinch point is.  Despite requests from the Devonport Community Bd, and the two local councillors the bulk of the council didn\'t see an upgrade of that interesction as a priority.  Lake Rd has always been 1 lane each way except at the above intersection where the cycle lanes have reduced the ability to double lane resulting in a pinch point, and in my opinion this needs addressing.

Hello Hugh

I believe Mike Cohen has aptly answered this question.

I would like to add, however, that from what I understand, there are also significant funding issues should the council remove the lanes. Also it is very important that there is an ongoing move to encourage people out of cars.

I travel Lake Road by car and occassionaly by cycle and what I have noticed is that there are wide footpath areas on much of Lake Road and large \\\'chevron strips\\\' (white diagonal markings) in the middle. Has the idea of a three lane system been explored whereby two lanes carry traffic one way and one lane the other depending on peak traffic flows - similar to that used in Panmure and operated by a light systrem? With the unused width there already it may be a common sense and cost efficient idea worth looking at and one that allows for cycle lanes but helps ease traffic flow.

If elected to Board I will make it a priority to bring myself au fait with the Lake Road problems and support and push for initiatives to relieve the problems.

Kind regards

Wenda Morton

Awaiting response

Well Hugh, there is a new $17m cycle lane being built between Esmonde & Jutland Road as we speak so I\\\'m not sure which part of Lake you are referring to. 

Kind regards

Jan

The cycle lanes should stay and be improved to provide a safe active transport option. Cycling has increased on this route since the cycle lanes were installed.