City Council& Community Board candidate for Fendalton/Waimairi
Thank for your informative email and your interest in learning the views of candidates about this very important issue.
I lived many years of my life in Vienna, Austria, where quite often pedestrians and cyclists share the same path harmoniously. My family and I enjoyed safe cycling as long as we lived there and I am an advocate for off-road cycle ways similar to what I experienced in Vienna.
In Christchurch, we normally have wide, flat footpaths, quite often without any pedestrians on them. I have always advocated for cyclist and pedestrians using the same paths, as it is done in many well governed cities in the world, at every opportunity that I had as a Community Board member. But, as you know, these matters are decided by the Council and not Community Boards. There shouldn't be any conflict between cycle lanes and curbside parking either if pedestrians and cyclists could share the same path.
So yes, if elected to the Council, I will be a strong voice for off-road cycle ways where pedestrians and cyclists share the same path and will certainly lobby for installation of bicycle racks on all public transport vehicle, as I experienced it myself in Austria.
I agree with you that utility cycling could help many, especially elderly to use a safer, slower and environmentally friendlier way of transport and, if I am elected, would encourage more awareness about it.
I don't cycle here as much as I used to do in Vienna, but I will do more if we have safer off-road cycle ways.
Thank you again for the time you allocate to promote safe cycling. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Faimeh Burke
City Council& Community Board candidate for Fendalton/Waimairi
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