Wellington Transitional Cycleway audits

Transitional cycleways are a series of projects across Wellington that included use of quick-build materials for building a network of cycleways often through very challenging corridors. The corridors feature a combination of on-road separated cycleways, neighbourhood greenways, off-road paths, and raised dual crossings. ViaStrada was commissioned by Wellington City Council to be the exclusive auditor for these cycleway projects as they were designed and implemented. 

For this work, ViaStrada developed a review system known as Cycleway Accessibility and Safety Audits (CASAs), which enabled the team to assess each proposed design in terms of its effects on the safety and accessibility of cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users. This ensured that all proposed designs did not adversely affect any people using the corridors. 

The transitional cycleway programme had tight timelines, requiring fast deliverable turn-arounds. Typically, a “30% design” set of plans would be developed by the design consultant for initial review and ViaStrada would aim to deliver a CASA report within 2-3 weeks of that, often with some preliminary high-level urgent thoughts provided to the client and designer ahead of that. Within a few weeks, revised “90% design” plans would be sent back for another review, again typically delivered back to the client and designer within 2-3 weeks. Soon after that, having confirmed the final designs, contractors would install the final cycleway using quick-build methods. 

The process from initial planning and design to construction could take as little as 3-4 months for some routes. With many routes now constructed, ViaStrada have also undertaken some post-construction site visits to identify any remaining safety or accessibility issues.

ViaStrada has been involved in the following routes at various stages of scheme/detailed design and post-construction:

• Ngaio Gorge
• Kilbirnie Connections
• Thorndon Connections
• Aro Valley
• Berhampore - Island Bay
• City - Botanic Gardens
• Newtown - City
• Karori - City
• Te Motu Kairangi Eastern Connections
• Wadestown

On request, ViaStrada has also provided feedback to the Client regarding best-practice design standards or the effects of subsequent design changes.