Calls for urgent improvements to Wellington cycleways

A cycle safety group is calling on the Wellington City Council to make urgent improvements to cycle safety in the capital.

A cyclist escaped with a moderate injuries after colliding with a car at the intersection of Kaiwharawhara and Hutt Road yesterday.

There were 51 cyclist collisions in Wellington city last year.

Cycle Advocate Network spokesman Patrick Morgan says the Wellington City Council has a responsibility to look after everyone, whether they're a cyclist, driver or pedestrian.

"The cycling facility along Hutt Road is well below standard, it crosses a lot of driveways, there's lamp-posts, and there's a bus shelter in the way. If we built roads like that, there'd be outrage."

Mr Morgan says the area where it happened is a shared bus and cycle lane, which isn't an acceptable.

"I think for most people who want to ride bikes, sharing a bus lane is not an attractive place to ride their bikes. So we're calling on the council to adopt what we call 'complete streets'. These are streets that cater for everyone, whether you're on foot, bike or driving."

Patrick Morgan says the Wellington City Council has a responsibility to look after everyone, whether they're a cyclist, driver or pedestrian.

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