Footpaths/Bicycle Tracks

20180315 Cycle and Walkway from Mangawhai Beach School to Mangawhai Activity Zone.

To Kaipara District elected officials and transport planners.

To make walking and cycling for everyday transport purposes practicable by all demographic groups ( i.e. 'vulnerable' road users' ) in the Mangawhai area we are asking that urgent attention be given to the dangerous condition of the space available to non-vehicular road users - specifically that along the southern side of Molesworth Road from the bridge up the hill to the Mangawhai Activity Zone. This section is first and foremost a safety issue that needs to be given absolute priority.

Only the occasional 'competent and competent' cyclist would be willing to subject him/herself to the risks inherent in using the high speed section of Molesworth Road along which no provision at all has been ( or can be ) made for 'cyclists'.

There has, since the 1980s, been a perfectly good ( though in places very narrow ) walking / cycling track running from the corner of Pearson Street along Molesworth Road for a distance of about 2.5 km to the bridge on the causeway which needs to be improved ( i.e. widened and surfaced ) to reduce conflict between pedestrians and cyclists to facilitate safe passageway for those travelling between Mangawhai Beach School and Mangawhai Activity Zone. This is an essential part of a network of physically segregated cycling/walk ways which needs to run from the southern, western and northern entrances to Mangawhai and out to the Mangawhai Heads surf beach(es).

Having this facility in place will contribute to mitigating the pressure on our roads from congestion resulting from the absence of facilities for alternative transport modes and will enhance our area as a place to live and visit and will contribute generally to our health, safety and general well-being.

This project deserves to be given the highest priorty and needs to be finished as soon as practicable.

We would appreciate acknowledgement of this request and feedback from the Mayor and Councillors individually.

Alan Preston on behalf of the Mangawhai Community Planning Group. 2018.

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Here's a couple of videos taken on the ride we organised on Saturday the 24th of March 2018 from Mangawhai Beach School over to the Mangawhai Activity Zone - a distance of about 4 kilometres. About 30 took part.

Leaving Mangawhai Beach School - crossing at the pedestrian crossing.

Approaching and crossing the bridge over Mangawhai Estuary on Molesworth Drive.

Focus is on the condition of the uneven surface that must be improved to provide a safe space for cyclists of all ages ( specifically that beyond ( east of ) the bridge and up the hill towards the Mangawhai Activity Zone .