Soaring popularity of cycling clashes with lack of investment in cycle paths across New Zealand
Eleanor Ainge RoyLast modified on Tue 18 Feb 2020 05.33 GMT
Hundreds of cyclists have gathered in Wellington to demand safer infrastructure and more investment from the Ardern government, after the death of a cyclist near the capital this month.On Monday more than 600 people protested outside parliament to remember 65-year-old Brent Norriss who died after being struck by a vehicle while cycling on State Highway 2 between Wellington and Hutt Valley. Police enquiries into the crash on 3 February are continuing.
Protest organiser Patrick Morgan, from the Cycling Action Network said proper infrastructure needed to be built – including barriers – to protect cyclists in the region, and around New Zealand.
Currently only paint is used to mark cycle paths on State Highway 2 and many cyclists say they feel they are gambling with their lives when they get on their bikes.
“Paint is not protection.” Morgan said.
In 2016, five cyclists died on New Zealand roads, 169 were seriously injured and 560 suffered minor injuries in police-reported crashes, according to the Ministry of Transport.