Picton to Christchurch bike route gears up

Plans for an unbroken cycle route linking Picton to Christchurch are closer to becoming a reality.

Christchurch City Council has today agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding that commits it to working towards creating a cycle route that links Ships Cove at the top of the Queen Charlotte Track in Marlborough with Christchurch.

Fancy cycling to picturesque Picton? Soon you''ll be able to do it without having to dodge the traffic on State Highway 1.

The idea is to use existing and planned cycle paths and trails and connect them with backcountry roads to eventually form an unbroken cycle route.

The Marlborough, Kaikoura, Hurunui and Waimakariri District Councils are backing the project and have already signed the MOU.

“I love the idea of a cycle route connecting our city with Picton so I am thrilled we are getting involved in this project and helping it to become a reality,’’ says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“It will be a winner with recreational cyclists and with visitors to the South Island who want to experience heartland New Zealand and see parts of the country they wouldn’t see driving on the main highways.’’

Mark Inglis, the co-ordinator of the Hurunui Trails Trust and the first double amputee to summit Mt Everest, is helping co-ordinate the project and is delighted Christchurch City Council has jumped on board.

“To have a regional MOU that expresses the intent to create a cohesive safe cycle route from Christchurch to Picton is the cornerstone enabling the collaboration needed,’’ Mr Inglis says.

“Cyclists already try and navigate down our east coast, with most taking on the challenge that is the heavily trafficked State Highway 1. Our route provides a safe and scenic ride, designed by cyclists for cyclists.

“Equally importantly it will provide significant opportunities, not just for the rural communities it traverses, but for all who are on or near the route. Already farmers and others are developing cycling-friendly B&B offerings, cafes and services.

“The Heartland route will be the spine off which other routes are being developed – to the Cheviot coast, the Waipara Valley vineyards, inland to Hamner Springs and the St James Cycleway. It’s just the start of what will be the cyclists SH1,’’ Mr Inglis says.

For the Christchurch leg of the cycle route, people will have two options once the clip-on cycle lane has been added to the Waimakariri Bridge. They will be able to either:

• Follow the Waimakariri River east to the coastline, where the cycle route will go through Brooklands, Bottle Lake Forest and New Brighton before heading into the city along the cycleway that will be built as part of the regeneration of the red zone.
• Ride the shared path alongside the Christchurch Northern Corridor, which will open in 2021, to Cranford Street, where they can connect into the Papanui Parallel cycleway which will take them into the city centre

At today's meeting the Mayor challenged Cr Mike Davidson, a keen cyclist, to be the first Councillor to cycle the route north and south.

Cr Davidson says he is looking forward to taking on the Mayor's challenge and challenges Councillors from all other districts to ride the route too.