Travel by car
Car travel remains the most common way to travelUse of travel by car at least once a month remains high amongst respondents at 96%, although 19% report using it less often now compared to 12 months ago. 24% also report owning or having access to a full electric or hybrid vehicle.
Respondents who are between 50 and 64 years of age or have higher incomes are more likely to travel by car more than once a month.
Car travel was rated the lowest of the modes for overall journey satisfaction, with only 51% of respondents who travel by car reporting they feel satisfied or very satisfied with journeys made by car. This is consistent with last year, when 50% felt satisfied/very satisfied with their journeys made by car.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by car covered a wide variety of topics with different and opposing perspectives, but a significant proportion tended to be a point of concern or complaint:
“The roads are becoming increasingly clogged with traffic. There appears to be a huge increase in the number of cars in the last 5-10 years.”
“Roadworks seem to be very regular making for detours and slower trips."
“I travel a lot for work around the city.”
Travel by bicycle
Travel by bike has remained consistent amongst respondents over the past 3 years, with 33% saying they have travelled by bike more than once a month in the past 12 months. Amongst these respondents, 41% report that they e-bike at least once a month, and 31% say they bike more often now.
Respondents who are between 25 and 64 years of age, have higher incomes, or who live in the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board are more likely to travel by bike more than once a month.
73% of respondents who travel by bicycle find it easy or very easy to travel by this mode, and 72% are satisfied with their journey. Both the sense of ease and satisfaction have increased steadily since 2022, from 62% and 64% respectively.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by bike tended to be of mixed sentiment, with some being positive or complimentary of certain initiatives, while others raised various concerns and wish lists:
“The cycleways are so great. There's still lots of less safe stretches of the city though so keep up the good work!”
“Please sweep the roads more regularly from debris and glass!”
“Still feeling a bit unsafe, lots of cycle ways end suddenly or don't make sense to users and drivers often overlook cyclists.”
Travel by public transport
30% of respondents report using public transport at least once a month, similar to results in 2023, but an increase from 25% in 2022. Amongst these respondents, 29% say they use this mode of transport more often now.
Respondents who are 65 years or older, are female, or have lower incomes are more likely to travel by public transport more than once a month.
Ease of travel by public transport and satisfaction with the journey have also increased compared to 2022 and 2023. 74% of public transport users report that travel by this mode is easy or very easy, and 71% are satisfied with their journey when taking public transport.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by bike was a mix of some positive comments, some concerns/complaints, and suggestions for improvements:
“Bus frequency is good on the main route I live near, but not elsewhere, and whole journey takes at least twice as long as car."
"Keep it cheap and run them often"
Travel by walking
63% of respondents walk more than once a month to various activities. This is an increase from 55% in 2022 and 60% in 2023. 18% report using it more often now compared to 12 months ago.
Respondents who are between 25 and 49 years of age are more likely to travel by walking more than once a month.
81% of respondents who walk regularly report they find walking in Christchurch easy or very easy, and 78% are satisfied with their journey when walking.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by walking tended to be a mix of sentiments:
“The number of speeding bikes and scooters on footpaths is a major concern to me.”
“I would only go walking during daylight too dangerous at night.”
“I love the safety that Christchurch's wide, clear pavements give. However residential overgrowth blocking pavements is becoming more prevalent.”
Travel by e-scooter
7% of respondents report using an e-scooter at least once a month, similar to results in 2023.
70% of e-scooter users are satisfied with their journey using this mode of travel.
Respondents who are between 25 and 49 years of age or have higher incomes are more likely to travel by e-scooter more than once a month.
Travel by car
Car travel remains the most common way to travelUse of travel by car at least once a month remains high amongst respondents at 96%, although 19% report using it less often now compared to 12 months ago. 24% also report owning or having access to a full electric or hybrid vehicle.
Respondents who are between 50 and 64 years of age or have higher incomes are more likely to travel by car more than once a month.
Car travel was rated the lowest of the modes for overall journey satisfaction, with only 51% of respondents who travel by car reporting they feel satisfied or very satisfied with journeys made by car. This is consistent with last year, when 50% felt satisfied/very satisfied with their journeys made by car.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by car covered a wide variety of topics with different and opposing perspectives, but a significant proportion tended to be a point of concern or complaint:
“The roads are becoming increasingly clogged with traffic. There appears to be a huge increase in the number of cars in the last 5-10 years.”
“Roadworks seem to be very regular making for detours and slower trips."
“I travel a lot for work around the city.”
Travel by bicycle
Travel by bike has remained consistent amongst respondents over the past 3 years, with 33% saying they have travelled by bike more than once a month in the past 12 months. Amongst these respondents, 41% report that they e-bike at least once a month, and 31% say they bike more often now.
Respondents who are between 25 and 64 years of age, have higher incomes, or who live in the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board are more likely to travel by bike more than once a month.
73% of respondents who travel by bicycle find it easy or very easy to travel by this mode, and 72% are satisfied with their journey. Both the sense of ease and satisfaction have increased steadily since 2022, from 62% and 64% respectively.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by bike tended to be of mixed sentiment, with some being positive or complimentary of certain initiatives, while others raised various concerns and wish lists:
“The cycleways are so great. There's still lots of less safe stretches of the city though so keep up the good work!”
“Please sweep the roads more regularly from debris and glass!”
“Still feeling a bit unsafe, lots of cycle ways end suddenly or don't make sense to users and drivers often overlook cyclists.”
Travel by public transport
30% of respondents report using public transport at least once a month, similar to results in 2023, but an increase from 25% in 2022. Amongst these respondents, 29% say they use this mode of transport more often now.
Respondents who are 65 years or older, are female, or have lower incomes are more likely to travel by public transport more than once a month.
Ease of travel by public transport and satisfaction with the journey have also increased compared to 2022 and 2023. 74% of public transport users report that travel by this mode is easy or very easy, and 71% are satisfied with their journey when taking public transport.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by bike was a mix of some positive comments, some concerns/complaints, and suggestions for improvements:
“Bus frequency is good on the main route I live near, but not elsewhere, and whole journey takes at least twice as long as car."
"Keep it cheap and run them often"
Travel by walking
63% of respondents walk more than once a month to various activities. This is an increase from 55% in 2022 and 60% in 2023. 18% report using it more often now compared to 12 months ago.
Respondents who are between 25 and 49 years of age are more likely to travel by walking more than once a month.
81% of respondents who walk regularly report they find walking in Christchurch easy or very easy, and 78% are satisfied with their journey when walking.
Commentary about the experience of travelling by walking tended to be a mix of sentiments:
“The number of speeding bikes and scooters on footpaths is a major concern to me.”
“I would only go walking during daylight too dangerous at night.”
“I love the safety that Christchurch's wide, clear pavements give. However residential overgrowth blocking pavements is becoming more prevalent.”
Travel by e-scooter
7% of respondents report using an e-scooter at least once a month, similar to results in 2023.
70% of e-scooter users are satisfied with their journey using this mode of travel.
Respondents who are between 25 and 49 years of age or have higher incomes are more likely to travel by e-scooter more than once a month.