Kain, Sonja, and their daughter have been without a car for six years. It began back in Germany with the problem of finding a parking spot and cycling was a good alternative. With the move to Wellington, this did not change. Although a good infrastructure does not exist here yet. “Our daughter doesn’t ride her bicycle here alone as she was used to in Berlin. There is not enough space, cars passing by too close, ”mentions Jess.
Still, cycling is their favorite mode of transport. “Healthier. An easier way of getting around. No hassle with parking ”describes Kain the main motivators. Their daughter says happily: “It’s good for the environment. Cars aren’t fun. ” And the closeness to water and beaches adds another positive layer for cycling in Wellington.
While the whole family has their own, unique relationship to their bikes, Kain describes it as a close bond. “It is an extension of me. A part of my personality.” For their daughter it is a toy to have fun with and Jess sees it as something functional. But all of them agree that cycling has become an important part of their lives.
[Credit to Stephen Templer and Sean Duffell for the mural artwork that served as background.]
The buses were too crowded, the streets full of traffic. A bicycle was the solution for Sanket. A way to get easily to and from work with the added benefit to save some time. Even during the time of Covid, to stay safe with the right amount of social distancing.
One of the frustrating factors of using the bicycle, he mentions instantly: “If it’s windy then that is Wellington”. After a long pause, he adds “The bus drivers are a bit harsh” This is the scary and annoying bit of commuting for him, but the excitement outweighs the discomfort of those situations.
Here’s what he likes most about cycling in the city: “The whole fact I am able to commute,” he says. The convenient locations of both his home and work. Every day he looks forward to riding home to enjoy the views along the waterfront.
Sanket views his bicycle as a very close part of his life. Since he moved to Wellington he used it more than his car. “It is definitely a wonderful loving relationship,” he says.
[Credit to artist Tess Sheerin and Island Bay youth for the mural artwork that served as background.]
With cycling in her blood, Karien brought her bicycle over from the Netherlands. She put it to good use for years, until she moved to the top of a hill, and it became an ornamental piece in her living room.
A few years ago the bus system changed, the convenience of public transport was gone and travel stress increased. The bicycle looked appealing again!
Being used to cycling on flat terrain, the hill was a challenge though! An e-bike was the solution. Since then, Karien commutes and cycles around the city in any weather in any clothes. “From normal clothes to a dress and high heels for a good night out.”
From her perspective, cycling in Wellington is “fairly dangerous, especially on rainy days or at night.” With a healthy dose of awareness, she passes parked cars, looking out for doors that might open unexpectedly.
The Mt. Vic tunnel is by far the worst part of her commute, she says. But once Karien rides through Roseneath, looking at the sunrise over the mountains, or along the calming water at the waterfront, watching people rowing, she nearly forgets the risks. The amount of freedom in return is totally worth it.
Her bicycle is her most prized possession with an indescribable love towards it, she explains.
[Credit to artist DSIDE for the mural artwork that served as background.]
A knee injury opened the door to cycling. A friend wanted to help and gave Jim an old bike to recover quicker. Still, the hills of Wellington were too challenging. As the technology around e-bikes improved, he invested in a conversion for his bicycle. A decision that changed his life dramatically. “Cycling has been a revolution on how I approach my life. I absolutely love it,” he says enthusiastically.
Especially, the time factor is one of the most convincing aspects for him. Being able to get home from anywhere in 20 minutes without worrying about a car park, bus schedules, anything. “The logistics disappeared,” Jim exclaims. The newly won freedom and time is invested in his family life – making sure everyone gets breakfast, lunch and dinner.
With everything in life, there is also a little shadow side that comes with commuting by bicycle regularly. “The lack of space given to cyclists. The lack of tolerance.” He explains. “Cars go by too close.” Constant awareness is needed. The experience of an incident with an opened door didn’t stop him from riding his bike; it only changed his approach. Carefully, he now picks the routes that minimize the chance of that.
His bicycle is like a colleague for him. Jim treats it with respect, maintained and cleaned to enjoy more years of cycling.
A bicycle named “Franken-bike” is Kora’s main way of traveling around Wellington. The independence she experiences with a bicycle is indescribable. No need to wait for a bus. It is cool, good for the environment and good for her with some passive exercise, she explains.
Going downhill is the most exciting part of cycling. She only goes the hills up to speed those down again.
“At times it can be difficult and quite dangerous to be part of the traffic,” Kora says. “Especially on Adelaide Road.” The inconsistent bike lanes give a slightly bitter flavour to cycling in the city.
Nevertheless, she has seen positive changes over the last year. Improved infrastructure, more people on their bikes, and in general Wellington got more friendly towards cyclists.
“A trusty little thing. Light and functional,” as she describes her bicycle. Her partner has helped her to maintain it, but she prefers to keep it “a little janky” to keep people from stealing it.
As there were no parking spots in the city, Sarrah decided to use her bicycle instead and since then didn’t regret her decision. As easy as it sounds, it wasn’t.
She never saw herself as a cyclist, even thought she couldn’t do it without a lot of encouragement from her friends and a beautiful e-bike, she now happily rides every day to work. “It’s not only a pleasant commute, it’s even quicker and more environmentally friendly than by car,” she says.
“For sure, there are some roads that are confusing, especially Adelaide Road,” Sarrah mentions. She takes extra caution while passing a parking car, though never had an accident.
“People take care and respect cyclists,” she says enthusiastically. Her favourite parts of the city to cycle are Miramar and the Waterfront.
Over the years, her relationship with her bicycle developed into a loving and respectful one.
FREYA
Freya did not want to buy a car and looked for other options to get around. Luckily her flatmate showed her the way to a life with a bicycle.
Now, it has become her main mode of transport – to commute, to pick up groceries, anything! And all of this combined with free exercise.
“Especially during lockdown, it was amazing to cycle with friends along the empty roads,” she says.
With traffic, the feeling changed – in some parts, she feels a bit more rushed by the cars. She says, “There are some grumpy drivers, but the majority are sweet.”
Apart from those aspects, Freya enjoys the downhills as her favourite parts of cycling in Wellington. There are a lot, and they let her easily forget about the “bah” up hills.
Her bicycle gives her a sensation of freedom. She loves and misses it when out of town.
Credit to artist Ellen Coup for the mural artwork that served as background.
More mountain biking was Mathew’s intention while buying his current bicycle. The intention shifted, and now it is primarily used to commute from Khandallah to the CBD. For him, flexibility is the key. “I would rather go when I want to go instead of sitting and waiting for public transport.”
With that, other benefits came along. Especially during rush hour, he realised cycling is quicker than by bus or car. It has less environmental impact and the exercise puts him in a good mood, feeling healthy and energised after his 20-minute ride. A win-win situation.
Although, he enjoys cycling alone, together with his wife would be even better. She hasn’t the “boldness you currently need to cycle in Wellington” as Mathew describes it.
Parked cars which narrow the streets more, people who don’t indicate and open their car doors without looking are the main factors. He always plans his route to avoid congested roads.
But Mathew sees change is already happening, with the 30km/h zones as an example. It is just a matter of time. With more improvement around the infrastructure, his wife might feel more confident to join him and cycle the scenic route home along the waterfront.
Mathew spent some time choosing his bicycle for his current needs. He really likes it. “I think it’s a cool one,” he says.
Instead of being stuck in traffic with the car, Josh and Charlotte switched to bicycles with their kids to commute to work and school. “It is better for the environment, cheaper and easier,” says Charlotte. Daughter Sylvie adds “It’s good fun.” Now, it has become a big part of their daily life.
While they have worked out the best ways to get around, “there is room for improvement regarding infrastructure and awareness of drivers and cyclists,” Josh mentions. “Especially the pathway through Mt. Vic tunnel.” Besides that, cycling in Wellington is fascinating. The greater awareness of the surroundings, noticing the things and happenings along the way gives a feeling of connection to the city. “It is thrilling” as Charlotte describes it.
A life without bicycles is not imaginable anymore for the whole family.
Last year, Barbara moved from Australia to New Zealand. She left her car behind and now only rides her bicycle around the streets and hills of the city. “Riding a bike is all about convenience,” she says. “It’s faster than by car.”
Wellington is one of the most dangerous cities she has ever cycled. “The streets are mad. It is so congested. Too many cars for the space.” The good thing is that the drivers are generally polite, and her love for descents keeps her going. “Cause of my body weight, I am a very good descender,” she euphorically says.
For her, cycling is the closest experience to flying. With the invention of e-bikes, Barbara now can cycle forever. Her little orange bicycle has already become a part of her body.
[Credit to Stephen Templer and Sean Duffell for the mural artwork that served as background.]
As a partner in the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme, Wellington City Council is committed to making the city safer and more attractive. Introducing a 30 kmh speed limit across the central city is a key element. A few arterial streets are excepted, the Quays, Kent and Cambridge Tces, and SH1 on Vivian St.
The Council will consult on the plan early this year, and plans to introduce changes in mid-2020.
Safer speeds on central city streets could be a stepping stone towards a city that works for people travelling on all modes. By restricting most streets to 30km/h it is possible that more drivers will choose those streets that are still at 50km/h, reducing the traffic volumes on those streets at 30km/h. The LGWM programme will be assessing the impacts of changes, which will allow recommendations to be made on redesigning streets like Featherston and Taranaki, reducing the number of car lanes and allowing more space for people on foot and on bikes, buses and rapid transit. An even bolder approach would be to move one step further, closing off more streets to through-traffic. Birmingham has announced plans based on earlier tactics employed by Groningen in the Netherlands and Ghent, Belgium to make their city centre slightly more difficult to drive around, reallocating space to public and active transport in the process:
The idea here is to create quadrants, or zones, dividing up areas of the central city. Private vehicles are not permitted to cross between these zones, but people on foot, buses or bikes can. The result is that places in Ghent that are 1km apart on foot or bike become 3km apart by car, making the bicycle the fastest way to get around, meaning more people opt to use a bicycle. Driving isn’t a particularly slow option, it just takes a bit longer and you need to drive further. People who need to drive still can, and the way the city is laid out pushes them onto outer roads that are more capable of handling cars, leaving those central streets free for people.
Wellington could apply similar thinking. It already has a ‘ring’ road of sorts. Imagine a car journey from the Michael Fowler Centre to Pukeahu Park didn’t involve going up Taranaki Street because it was now a no-through road. Your alternative route would be via Cable St, Kent Terrace and the Basin. Perhaps you’d decide to cycle there instead because now, Taranaki St is a residential area with fewer car lanes, a 30km/h speed limit, more seating, street trees and a cycle lane and you’d be there just as fast, (raging southerly wind notwithstanding!)
Taranaki St – unrecognisable
These ideas are almost incomprehensible at the moment because Wellington’s central city has so many lanes for cars that it can be very difficult to imagine where they would all go. However 30km/h streets will start to push us towards a Wellington where walking, shopping and living in our central city becomes much more pleasant. Driving will become just one of the ways you can get around easily, comfortably and conveniently, but not quite as quickly as by bike.
Quieter, slower streets become much more attractive to people on bikes and escooters where fewer cars pass and at slower relative speeds. Of course, crashes can still occur at 30km/h, but the outcomes are vastly improved for people of all ages. Cycling on slower streets will also ‘feel’ more comfortable and natural, which will attract more people to give bikes a go where currently the road conditions can feel more risky and scary.
Cycle Wellington fully supports the plans for 30km/h streets and looks forward to safer riding throughout our central city.
Cycle Wellington 