Travel by car
Travel by car remains high amongst respondents at 95%, although 21% report using it less often now compared to 12 months ago.
Car travel rated the lowest of the modes for overall journey satisfaction, with only 50% of respondents who travel by car reporting they feel satisfied or very satisfied with journeys made by car.
This year we saw a 10% increase in the number of respondents who are satisfied or very satisfied with the conditions of our roads (15% in 2022; 25% in 2023). Lowered speed limits, narrowed lanes, road layout, availability of parking, potholes and roadworks remain the leading factors that make respondents unsatisfied with car travel and roading infrastructure.
21% of respondents regularly use an electric or hybrid car, and 17% of those respondents report driving it more often than they did previously.
What you told us:
- “Peak traffic is tough stuff”
- “Too many different speed zones are confusing and it seems to have been made more difficult to travel within the four avenues.”
Travel by bicycle
34% of respondents reported travelling by bicycle at least once a month, unchanged from 2022.
Of those who travel by bike, 40% travel by e-bike more than once a month, marking another considerable increase from previous years. (26% in 2021, 35% in 2022).
30% of respondents who cycle, report they have increased their frequency of use of the mode, and the majority of respondents who cycle find it easy or very easy (69%). This is an increase on 62% in 2022.
Of respondents who reported they had been involved in an accident or close call in the past 12 months, the majority were travelling by bicycle at the time of the incident.
What you told us:
- “Cycle lanes and routes are always improving, but there are still roads/areas that are too hazardous to bike, e.g. Yaldhurst Rd”
- “I enjoy cycling in Christchurch, but sometimes doesn't feel safe as cars inattentive drivers, go into cyclelanes, not always a safe place to lock bike, and some cycle lanes run out at difficult areas”
- “I find it easy to travel when there are separated cycle lanes going to my destination, I've had too many close calls on the road to consider biking on the road any more. The increase in large vehicles (SUVs for urban use) on the road also contributes to this”
Travel by public transport
29% of respondents have travelled by public transport more than once in the past 12 months. This is an increase from 25% in 2022.
33% of those who use public transport, say they use it more often now compared to 12 months ago.
Public transport is significantly more likely to be used by respondents aged either under 25 years old or 65 years and over.
67% of respondents who travel by public transport say they find it easy or very easy to travel by this mode.
What you told us:
- “Would be nicer to have more bus lanes for skipping traffic especially in Riccarton”
- “It would be great to have more frequent services and more bus priority”
- “Easy and affordable but still slow. Prefer to bike due to convenience”
Walking
60% of respondents walk more than once a month to various activities. This is an increase from 55% in 2022, but still down on 2021 walking rates of 62%.
Respondents who walk regularly report the highest levels of overall journey satisfaction compared to other modes, with 75% being satisfied or very satisfied with their walking journeys.
Satisfaction with the conditions of footpaths and other pedestrian areas saw an 11% increase from 2022 to 2023. 40% of respondents who walk regularly report they are satisfied or very satisfied with the conditions of our footpaths. This figure was 29% in 2022.
The majority of respondents who regularly walk find it easy or very easy (77%). The quality of footpaths, and people on bikes using the footpaths were the top factors making walking difficult for respondents.
What you told us:
- “Outside of the central city, it is not a pedestrian friendly city. Crossing light periods are too short, too much traffic prioritisation”
- “Pedestrian friendly improvements have a big influence on walking.. Speed limit reductions help”
- “I love walking in this city. The Ōtākaro/Avon River is fabulous and there is so much happening in the city. I love the pedestrian friendly streets such as Cashel and Oxford Terrace, we should own the streets not cars.”
Travel by e-scooter
Electric scooters were included as a travel mode for the first time in 2023.
6% of respondents travel by e-scooter regularly, and over a third of these users have opted to replace car trips with e-scooter trips.
Travel by car
Travel by car remains high amongst respondents at 95%, although 21% report using it less often now compared to 12 months ago.
Car travel rated the lowest of the modes for overall journey satisfaction, with only 50% of respondents who travel by car reporting they feel satisfied or very satisfied with journeys made by car.
This year we saw a 10% increase in the number of respondents who are satisfied or very satisfied with the conditions of our roads (15% in 2022; 25% in 2023). Lowered speed limits, narrowed lanes, road layout, availability of parking, potholes and roadworks remain the leading factors that make respondents unsatisfied with car travel and roading infrastructure.
21% of respondents regularly use an electric or hybrid car, and 17% of those respondents report driving it more often than they did previously.
What you told us:
- “Peak traffic is tough stuff”
- “Too many different speed zones are confusing and it seems to have been made more difficult to travel within the four avenues.”
Travel by bicycle
34% of respondents reported travelling by bicycle at least once a month, unchanged from 2022.
Of those who travel by bike, 40% travel by e-bike more than once a month, marking another considerable increase from previous years. (26% in 2021, 35% in 2022).
30% of respondents who cycle, report they have increased their frequency of use of the mode, and the majority of respondents who cycle find it easy or very easy (69%). This is an increase on 62% in 2022.
Of respondents who reported they had been involved in an accident or close call in the past 12 months, the majority were travelling by bicycle at the time of the incident.
What you told us:
- “Cycle lanes and routes are always improving, but there are still roads/areas that are too hazardous to bike, e.g. Yaldhurst Rd”
- “I enjoy cycling in Christchurch, but sometimes doesn't feel safe as cars inattentive drivers, go into cyclelanes, not always a safe place to lock bike, and some cycle lanes run out at difficult areas”
- “I find it easy to travel when there are separated cycle lanes going to my destination, I've had too many close calls on the road to consider biking on the road any more. The increase in large vehicles (SUVs for urban use) on the road also contributes to this”
Travel by public transport
29% of respondents have travelled by public transport more than once in the past 12 months. This is an increase from 25% in 2022.
33% of those who use public transport, say they use it more often now compared to 12 months ago.
Public transport is significantly more likely to be used by respondents aged either under 25 years old or 65 years and over.
67% of respondents who travel by public transport say they find it easy or very easy to travel by this mode.
What you told us:
- “Would be nicer to have more bus lanes for skipping traffic especially in Riccarton”
- “It would be great to have more frequent services and more bus priority”
- “Easy and affordable but still slow. Prefer to bike due to convenience”
Walking
60% of respondents walk more than once a month to various activities. This is an increase from 55% in 2022, but still down on 2021 walking rates of 62%.
Respondents who walk regularly report the highest levels of overall journey satisfaction compared to other modes, with 75% being satisfied or very satisfied with their walking journeys.
Satisfaction with the conditions of footpaths and other pedestrian areas saw an 11% increase from 2022 to 2023. 40% of respondents who walk regularly report they are satisfied or very satisfied with the conditions of our footpaths. This figure was 29% in 2022.
The majority of respondents who regularly walk find it easy or very easy (77%). The quality of footpaths, and people on bikes using the footpaths were the top factors making walking difficult for respondents.
What you told us:
- “Outside of the central city, it is not a pedestrian friendly city. Crossing light periods are too short, too much traffic prioritisation”
- “Pedestrian friendly improvements have a big influence on walking.. Speed limit reductions help”
- “I love walking in this city. The Ōtākaro/Avon River is fabulous and there is so much happening in the city. I love the pedestrian friendly streets such as Cashel and Oxford Terrace, we should own the streets not cars.”
Travel by e-scooter
Electric scooters were included as a travel mode for the first time in 2023.
6% of respondents travel by e-scooter regularly, and over a third of these users have opted to replace car trips with e-scooter trips.