We think rolling out a better cycling network across Te Awamutu and Cambridge will get more people out of cars and onto bikes, scooters or out walking.

If we improved walkways and cycleways to make it safer and easier for people to get around, alternative transport could become our 'new normal'. An urban mobility network has many benefits:

• Streets are returned to people, making our towns people-centric, not car-centric
• It’s great for the environment, reducing vehicle emissions
• We can improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians - less crashes!
• We cater for different age groups and abilities
• We remove traffic congestion, especially at peak hours
• When we do need to use a car, it’ll be easier to find a park

What’s happening now?

Waipā has some problems:

Safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Safety is the biggest concern for the public to walk or bike in towns. We have a yearly average of 17 reported crashes in Te Awamutu and Cambridge involving pedestrians or cyclists. More than half of the are injury crashes. Unsuitable cycleway design at intersections or roundabouts is a key reason people don’t want to bike on the road.

Travel choices
One challenge is a dependence on cars. It results in traffic congestion, air pollution and parking pressure in our towns. Cycling, scootering or walking for shorter commutes reduces the need to travel by vehicle.

Linkage
Waipā has invested in cycleways around the district, however many of these don't link to other routes. The cycle routes should link to as many possible origins and destinations so they are easier and more convenient to use.

Demand
Waipa is growing, more people are working here, and we’re enjoying larger visitor numbers. There are very limited facilities available for cycling to cater for growing demand.

You told us...

The community provided strong support to roll out an urban mobility network in Cambridge and Te Awamutu to better connect places like schools, shops and workplaces for cyclists, pedestrians and scooter users.

While there are many benefits to safer cycling walking and scootering through an urban mobility network, such as less traffic congestion, reduced vehicle emissions, better safety, less demand on parking, and more vibrant towns, Council did acknowledge that a willingness to change our behaviours to benefit wellbeing can be difficult for some residents, as we have seen through the Streets for People project.

So while Council has committed to roll out an Urban Mobility Network, Council would like to set up an independent committee or community working group in the best interests of good community outcomes.

The Urban Mobility Network will cost $10,920,120 with $5,569,261 in funding from Waka Kotahi (NZTA).