Options for cycle trail route present potential problems

October 20th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

The route of the new Tasman Cycleway through Motueka is still very much an open question, with few of the alternative paths under consideration currently satisfying requirements.

Most of the possible cycle paths that would seem appropriate for a safe, high-profile cycleway have been developed and maintained by Keep Motueka Beautiful over the past decade, but some sections for several reasons are not suitable, leaving local people interested in the potentially exciting project uncertain as to future directions.

The first two sections of Tasman's Great Taste Trail, part of the government's cycleway project, from Nelson to Brightwater and Mapua, are being completed, but government money has all but run out for the rest of the triangle - from Mapua out to Motueka and Kaiteriteri, up the river to Kohatu, and back to Brightwater.

The Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust, which is running the whole project, is hoping that businesses (including tourism providers), community organisations (such as environmental groups) and individuals will sponsor the construction of sections of the remaining trail. In addition, local communities will be lobbying Tasman District Council to help fund the work, through its Long Term Plan.

What part Keep Motueka Beautiful and its walkways may play in the project was discussed at the group's October meeting this week. Chairman David Ogilvie told members that the route through Motueka has still not been decided, but at present it was envisaged (and perhaps assumed) to be as follows (from the south):

From Lower Moutere, via Wildman Road to the High Street roundabout, then east along Wharf Road. Once onto Wharf Road, three possible paths could take cyclists to Old Wharf Road and Motueka Quay:

Along the just-completed walkway beside Wharf Road to the Port, then along the walkway links on the east side of the inlet and past the cemetery to Old Wharf Road.
Along the walk/cycle path on the stopbank parallel to High Street, reaching Old Wharf Road via the Adopt-a-Plot Inlet reserve area developed by Keep Motueka Beautiful.
Along the Wharf Road path to the Port, then along the shorefront on possibly a new path up to the old wharf.

From Motueka Quay (the old wharf), it will follow the existing cycle path to the golf course and then on to the Kumaras. Then west along a new cycle path beside Staples Street, turning into the sealed cycle path beside High Street to the bridge and beyond.

The committee discussed several areas of concern. First, the specifications for the national cycleway require the path to be 2.5 metres wide and with a further metre each side clear of vegetation. It was noted that virtually none of the Keep Motueka Beautiful walkways would satisfy that requirement.

The section from the golf course to the Kumaras needs to be widened and raised anyhow, because high tides are now beginning to overtop and erode the path (see our story). However, although a resource consent would probably not be required for this work, funding would need to be established. The widening could provide a track wide enough to meet Great Taste Trail specifications.

Option 1 above (the path beside Wharf Road) presents a problem in that it is not 2.5 metres wide, and further widening would eat up more of the inlet. And option 2 has some serious problems with even more confined width in places south of the adopted plots, and some cyclists could find the narrow, winding and raised path easy to slide off. There could also be concerns that heavier traffic through the adopted plots could bring some damage.

Some retailers may be concerned that the projected route takes cyclists away from the shopping area. David told the meeting that it was envisaged signs would be placed at the end of Harbour Road pointing the way to refreshments and food, and it was a standard feature of the popular Otago Rail Trail that the path had many places where signs pointed to nearby, off-track refreshment providers.

Although it is probably too early to worry about where the route will be, what upgrades will be needed for existing tracks and who will pay for them, those who will be eventually involved in the project, such as Keep Motueka Beautiful, will need to keep an eye on progress.

Comment by Mary Caldwell:
[Posted 21 October 2011]

Interesting. "The specifications for the national cycleway require the path to be 2.5 metres wide and with a further metre each side clear of vegetation. It was noted that virtually none of the Keep Motueka Beautiful walkways would satisfy that requirement." As these are required specs then perhaps it is reasonable to request that the government provide further funding. Otherwise our comunity provides what it can.

It is great that there is a choice of existing routes through town thanks to Keep Motueka Beautiful. Perhaps to direct the cycle traffic on a number of routes on a smaller track is advantageous. Makes for less congested routes.

Comment by Philip Grimmett:
[Posted 22 October 2011]

Cycle way shortfall. I always considered that the national cycleways project would have been one of John Key's great achievements. What a shame it has run out of money. I suppose the government has to bail out the crooked finance companies.

Comment by William Cleaver:
[Posted 22 October 2011]

There seems to be no mention of the trail ending up at Riwaka. According to maps and correspondence the trail ends at Resurgence Coffee and Retrotonic Store on the cnr School Rd and Main Rd. From that point on shuttles are to link the track out to Tapawera and a shuttle to Kaitereteri for those heading into the park.

As for the 2.5 metre wide track I would be very suprised if the track from Nelson outwards has been constructed to the requirements thus given. Motueka I feel has had an unjust hurdle thrown at it that other areas have got away with. Once again we play second fiddle to Richmond and Nelson. Also since Motueka has the attraction why is so much been spent on the consession stand.

Also, I find it interesting that a rail trail has to be 2.5 mtrs wide considering that a railway line in nowhere near that wide.

Comment by Ian Miller:
[Posted 29 October 2011]

Who decided a cycle trail needs to be 2.5m wide? That's a gold standard and I'm sure sections of the trail can satisfactorily be narrower where circumstances dictate.

There are plenty of alternative routes through Motueka and besides cyclists are very capable of not riding head on into each other on narrow tracks. There is some common sense and courtesy among the cycling fraternity.

I wonder if making the specifications so hard to meet is a way some bureaucrat dreamed to avoid spending money. If the cost is too great the cycle track cannot be built and money is saved. Maybe I'm just getting to be a curmudgeon.

All I need when cycle touring is a narrow strip to the left of the white line along the edge of a road. That suffices although it is not ideal obviously. A 2.5m cycle highway with neatly cleared verges each side would be a dream but is not essential.

Unnecessary also is the limit on gradients. Cyclists have legs and can walk steep sections but fit riders can puff their way up almost anywhere. Why do we always have to cater for every conceivable ability? Political correctness and fear of receiving a complaint I guess would be the answer. Let's just get the tracks built and if budgetary constraints mean a few corners have to be cut so what. Thems that can't do a decent hill can push their steeds.

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