Money for Cycleways

The New Zealand Prime Minister announced recently before the 2014 elections, that an additional $100 million is to be made available for cycleways over the next four years.
The Prime Minister in his announcement commented "that everyone knows the health and traffic benefits cycleways can deliver" It is great news that he and his Government think this way. It was my impression that the Government and the vast majority of the community are not aware of the benefits of cycleways to local communities.

In Auckland hopefully some of this money will be spent on the cycleway across the harbour bridge.
You only have to go to San Francisco to see the number of people out on their bikes crossing the Golden Gate bridge every day. This attraction boasts tourism and helps create a healthy and vibrant community which San Francisco is famous for.


In Auckland many citizens of Auckland see a cycleway across the harbour bridge as a project that would only benefit a few non tax paying pedestrians and cyclists. For this majority view to change will rely on the project being completed properly and not just as a cheap add on.

The new Oakland Bridge in San Francisco includes a integrated cycleway which is already very popular even though it only goes half way across the Bay until the second bridge is completed.