The Lake Rd cycle lanes linking Devonport and Hauraki Corner will be completed in early January 2008.

This is a very important cycle route with one of the highest usage rates in the city. The new lanes will improve cycling safety conditions, as previously many cycling accidents have been recorded on this route. Please remember to watch for cyclists when driving, especially when turning in and out of side streets and properties.

There were some initial problems with the light phasing at the Bardia St/Lake Rd/Winscombe St intersection. The phasing has been improved and we will continue to monitor the operation of the intersection. Enforcement of the new cycle lanes will begin in the new year.

In the meantime there will be a grace period when cars found to be parked in the cycle lanes may be issued with a single warning notice. Second time offenders will be ticketed $60 and may be towed.

We've recently added a 'frequently asked questions' section about cycling.

But at the time even I could not foresee the extent of the adverse effects it is now causing, albeit only partially installed. My main concern was that I believed the project to be ill conceived, badly designed and dangerous,  particularly for younger cyclists. I thought it irresponsible to invite people onto a cycle lane that inherently suggested a high level of safety when clearly it did not. Why it is terminated at its mosy dangerous point, Belmont shops, is a case in point.

Which is why I voted against the Lake Road cycle lane project.

As an alternative I suggested the money should be spent on developing the 'Green' route that is to go through Bayswater Park, O'Neil's cemetery, and follows the western coastal edge of the peninsula all the way to Takapuna. This route may be slightly longer but is significantly safer and can be used with confidence by all ages. Unfortunately, this suggestion was rejected.

Apart from the issues I raise above, there are many more that trouble me, not the least being the $lm spent on this project so far without yet having a clue how it is going to get from Hauraki Corner to Takapuna. My view is that the Community Board should accept that this project is a failure and no amount of tinkering with it will solve all the problems it is creating, that the board should agree to scrap it immediately and focus its attention on developing the alternative Green Route.

A huge vote of confidence to the new Lake Road Cycle Ways. Change is never easy, good on the Council for responding to the problems from the first attempt with a much improved solution. Further improvements will come with experience and more cyclists will be encouraged into a much safer environment - where all road users will be able to share the carriageways with consideration to other users.

And as for "cyclist" Sam's view that "cyclists on the road should take their chances risking serious injury or death by motorists" we have a long way to go to reach the high European standards of consideration on congested carriageways, but this is a great start.

Go the cycle lanes.

We moved here from the States about 3 months ago and bought a house in Devonport. I am an avid cyclist and a passionate advocate for safe cycling measures such as the cycle lane along Lake Road (well done). There are a tremendous number of road cyclists, casual cyclists and children who ride bikes along Lake Road and throughout the Devonport/Takapuna area every day. Let's consider the benefits that cycling provides: fewer cars on the road, reduced carbon impacts, improved fitness resulting in less drain on the national health care system, and increased property value (guess what, people like living in areas which promote safe cycle commuting).

In general most drivers along Lake Road are friendly and courteous towards cyclist. There are the occasional car (and bus) drivers who seem to be enraged at the sight of a cyclist as they might have to slow down for one or two seconds whilst driving to wherever the fire is they need to put out (surely it couldn't be that they are late for work or are on their way to buy something at the Warehouse).

I would greatly encourage people in this area to not make the same mistake many cities in the US made where cars become the only safe mode of transport and people stop walking or cycling altogether. If you find yourself becoming enraged at a cyclist on the road you may want to consider adjusting your work/life balance, or perhaps even better buying a bike and coming out to join us. Talk about stress relief!!

Why anyone would sign off on the current situation is unbelievable. Lake Rd has always been congested, then the council does this with no consultation.

If we must have a cycleway on Lake Rd, and that I believe is debatable, then we have to remove car parking from Lake Rd entirely.

There could then be a dual cycleway put on one side of Lake Rd only, serving cyclists travelling in both directions. It must be remembered that this is for commuting cyclists, not racing cyclists travelling in large groups so they can easily travel in both directions safely.

A better option would be to divert cyclists around Narrow Neck and up Seacliffe Ave in a cycleway. Then construct a lane through Takapuna Grammar connecting to a cycleway on the footpath from St Leonards Rd through to Hauraki Corner, this footpath is wide enough to accommodate both a footpath and a cycleway. This then keeps cyclists safe on wide roads carrying much less traffic, a far safer option than placing them on what is already one of Aucklands, let alone North Shores most congested roads.

In response to previous letter writers, I can confirm that the cycle lanes are definitely being used, and the danger is from drivers parking and using them instead. Cyclists (me for one) use these lanes early in the morning as well as during the day so those who do not see many use them are obviously not out of bed by the time we get home on our early morning rides. Which I may add have become much safer and we feel more confident to get out there and exercise in the traffic. These hard-won lanes may be under threat. I encourage people who use them and/or support them to make their support heard.

I strongly support the bike lanes from the point of view of cycling safety and ease of progress.

As both a cyclist and a motorist along Lake Rd I wish to congratulate the council for an excellent job. Modifications such as the right turn lanes at the Lake Rd/Winscombe intersection have made it much safer on the bike and far less frustrating in the car. The cycle lanes have removed such motorist discomforts as the unofficial 2 lane system from Winscombe Rd Intersection to Belmont shops making this stretch safer for both cyclists and motorists.

I am appreciating the calmer and more regular traffic flow coming home and look forward to continued improvements.

Keep up the good work!

The cycle lanes down Lake Road are a huge improvement on the previous situation. That is my experience, as a regular cyclist. North Shore City Council should be congratulated for this huge step forward into the 21st century.

I am also a motorist and have endured queues at the Winscombe/Bardia lights. But I strongly support the bike lanes. In reply to previous letters to the editor, the cycle lanes are definitely being used and they work. Thank you for your concern about our safety, but danger arises from people driving and parking in the cycle lanes, not from cycling in them. These hard-won cycle lanes may be under threat. People who use them and/or support them need to make their support known.

I support the development of more cycle friendly routes in and around Devonport, especially because they encourage the next generation to ride bikes.

Kids should be able to bike safely to their local schools, developing good habits of worthwhile physical activity and the ability to travel independently without creating greenhouse gas emissions, from increasingly expensive fuel. North Shore City Council is acting responsibly in implementing its strategic cycle plan and deserves support. We drivers, who already tolerate queues for the motorway and delays elsewhere on the roads, need to get used to the idea that traffic volumes and congestion from our vehicles will continue to increase unless some of us use alternatives.

A cycle-friendly neighbourhood is a great place to live, and isn't that what we all want?

Attached are some ideas Sue Diver and I came up with when chatting recently. It is not rocket science but we think it might go some way to getting some order back onto our roads. Cycle lanes should be removed and located on the inside of footpaths where they are less disrupted by driveways and telegraph poles. Some thought needs to be given to the location of safe right turning spaces (for roads and driveways). Out of curiosity I visited the Council website to check out the Lake Rd situation.

Two key facts emerged:

1. Lake Rd will be progressively widened from Esmonde Rd to Hauraki Corner over the next three years.

2. Cars parked in the cycleway are liable for a fine of $60.

It was also interesting to note that Council has described Lake Rd as one of North Shore City's busiest roads and yet its capacity has been reduced by the introduction of the cycleways and single lanes and there do not appear to be any plans in the foreseeable future to address this situation.

The confusing road markings which have resulted from the cycleways project require clarification by Council.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to vent our frustrations over the conditions that have been imposed upon us.

Some suggested improvements to Lake Rd — traffic flow from Takapuna to Devonport:

Cycle lanes should be removed from Lake Rd and located on grass berms or the inside of footpaths away from driveways and power poles.

Being a daily car commuter, I can understand how feelings of frustration can easily be raised by the perception of delays or longer queue along Lake Rd caused by the new cycle lane. However, it is my opinion that once we have all become used to the new lane markings traffic flows will settle down.

I'm also a cyclist and regularly ride three to four times a week along that stretch. The cycle lanes are a huge improvement and the North Shore City Council should be applauded for taking the lead in providing a safer environment. It can only encourage more people to get out on a bike for recreation and or commuting to work. I would encourage car commuters to take more objective and enlightened view toward sharing the road with cyclists.

Many local motorists have been voicing their severe disagreement with cycle safety initiatives along Lake Rd, but hopefully none of them will have the misfortune to strike a cyclist with their vehicle. I cycle or drive along Lake Rd hundreds of times each year, and have sympathy for nervous drivers around cyclists, because the impact of a car upon a cyclist can so easily be catastrophic.

Your readers should realise that cyclists have had a legal right to use Lake Rd that originated long before vehicles began to invade the North Shore. Our Council has a clear obligation to respect and preserve cycling access along Lake Rd. In the era since vehicle numbers exploded, from the seventies onward, the frequent road modifications have not delivered for cyclists. The present programme is long overdue, and the Council can be commended for finally taking action.

Why so many vehicles clog Lake Rd is no mystery. With arterial routes too dangerous to cycle, parents can't allow their children to cycle to school, or to related activities, so they drive their kids everywhere. Our children are raised dependant on vehicles to the extent that they fail to develop independent strategies for transport, they often buy a car the first day they can, and then sit in queues with you other frustrated people.

Given that Takapuna Grammar, plus the intermediate and primary schools, are located right around the midpoint of Lake Rd, there isn't much option for Council policy on cycling, it has to be redeveloped so it is safe enough for schoolkids. I've been twice clipped by cars in the last year, both times near the Belmont shops, so don't doubt the necessity of the cycle lanes. In an ideal world, there would be elaborate off-road paths down the entire length of Lake Rd, connecting to the schools, shops and the ferry wharf, but rates are already under enough strain.

New Zealanders have a fine reputation as friendly people, but not when driving, according cycle tourists, who rate our behavior around cyclists very poorly in comparison to European or Asian cultures. If you see me cycling down Lake Rd, realise that my car is parked at home, and so I'm not in the queue in front of you. I'll be holding my breath if your vehicle's invisible exhaust cloud drifts over me, and I'll be doing my best to stay out of your way.

But give cyclists room, for Lake Rd can't absorb any more cars, but has potential to cater for many times the present number of cyclists, without affecting traffic. More cyclists means less cars. Mike Lynch, Castor Bay Cycling legitimate transport As a recent convert to cycling I feel I should congratulate and encourage the council in their efforts to ensure our roads are safe and user friendly for both motorists and cyclists. The new cycle lanes keep cars and cycles separate as much as possible and I feel a lot safer when out on my bike.

It is pleasing to see that children cycling to and from school have a much safer ride. Cycling is a legitimate form of transport and exercise and should not be discouraged.

As a one time regular cycle commuter along busy Lake Rd, I took the time to attend the consultation meetings held to discuss the (then) proposed changes.

We spent hours agitating over the fine details of how best to accommodate the needs of all road users. And there were some really tough compromises given the tight constraints along the route. This project has invested a lot of money to improve the lot of all these users, and the vast bulk of this was aimed at improving the capacity for cars and buses.

I find it ironic anyone would point at cyclists and their needs as being the cause of increased congestion. As far as I can tell, removing a 1.5m wide cycle lane is not going to add a whole new 3.5m wide car lane. For the people that have different ideas on this, it is a shame they were absent from the planning meetings. We would have appreciated your input.

If there are local points on the route that can be improved by modifying the cycle lanes, then let's fix them. But don't throw cycle lanes out entirely. They need to be part of the solution, not the scapegoat for a piece of road which was already well over capacity.

Maybe Bob Dylan said it best? The times they are a'changin" And the decision to introduce cycle lanes with all the obvious long term benefits for the entire community is to be applauded ....and supported. All us motorists (some of us cycle too) need to lose some impatience and be significantly less aggressive. And be a hell of lot more considerate to other legitimate road users. This is progress folks....real progress.... get used to it!

No it is not feasible to eliminate footpaths!

The current cycle lane fiasco on Lake Road reminds me of a similar debacle on Bayswater Avenue a few years ago. In that instance road markings seemingly appeared overnight, apparently following 'community consultation'. Following an uproar from residents and local groups to the community board these were removed. The planning in that case was poor, the implementation appalling. Hmm...something similar in the wind here? For what appears to be nothing more than the vision of a `local green fringe' we now have a very dangerous scenario in the making, that is the Lake Road cycle lanes. The tinkering with traffic flow to create a safe haven for cyclists simply has not worked. In fact it has probably made the roads more dangerous for the cyclists.

It might be worth The Flagstaff asking around one or two of the local medical practices to see if they have had any clients as a result of the new lane markings.

It does now take me longer to travel Lake Road on my way to and from work, and when struggling along Lake Road I do take notice of the 'multitudes' using the cycle lanes ( ..a good day if I see one cyclist). I can only assume that those members of the community board and council responsible for this latest 'traffic management system' do not have to travel the lake road corridor at peak traffic times.

Anyone travelling that route on a regular basis will have experienced or witnessed the near misses that occur all to frequently (mine was bus passing a cyclist, who was passing a parked car – all nice and legitimate, except the bus was straddling the centre line in my direction). I am now somewhat aghast to see in a recent newsletter from the Bayswater Community Committee that they have been working with the architects of the Lake Road fiasco to let them practice their dark arts on Bayswater and Robert Avenues. God preserve us.

Excellent, a bike lane along Lake Road from Devonport to Takapuna, I muse. It's been too dangerous in the past so let's try this out! Good for the first 100 metres, now following bike lane out towards the middle of the road, why am I been herded out here? I haven't seen any cars parked here for sale for a long time.

Coming up to Old Lake Road intersection, road works signs and gravel everywhere, and the bike lane has disappeared, am I suppose to disappear too? Will wave my bike pump around like Harry Potter and try and disappear.

Belmont intersection, bike lane disappears again! Will try the bike pump thing again, OK still here, plan B. Pedal and hope no one opens a car door or pulls out from a shop park "why are cars allowed to park here" I mutter.

As I head to the Winscombe street intersection I think that I better not make eye contact with any drivers as they might blame me for their missing lane. Ride past the school, it's a good feeling undertaking all these cars while going uphill.

Past Clifton Road, what are all these white and half painted out lines all over the road? Taggers from Hell?

Now coming up to Hauraki corner, what's this; the bike lane heads straight into a curb and disappears again; perhaps this is platform 9 and three quarters? Apparently not, so will go on to the road lane.

I head towards Esmonde Road with a 40 tonne truck 10 inches from my back tyre with an equally large driver giving me the evils. Takapuna at last, whew, that got the old ticker going and not just from the exercise either. Will stick to car in future and sit in the traffic, it's safer.

PS: My letter to Santa: Santa, what I really want for Xmas is a dedicated bike lane on Lake Road that goes all the way from Devonport to Takapuna and can you fit a four lane road in your sleigh for the motorists?

I could say I told you so. Council signalled their intention to impose these on us some time ago. I objected when they called for "consultation" but, fuelled by free grants from the ARC and Joel Cayford's vision of a pushbike society, they were determined to proceed anyway. The answer to Lake Rd congestion is obvious.

Make it two lanes in each direction all the way to Devonport, as it is between Hauraki and Esmonde Rd. A trip across to Sydney or Perth will show our "planners" how its done. And to those councillors still applauding their cycleway, I invite them to don helmet, hop on their bikes (if they've got one), and set off up and down the hills between Devonport and Takapuna, preferably in the rain and into the teeth of a howling sou'wester!

On behalf of Cycle Action Auckland, I would like to acknowledge that there have been some real problems with the installation of cycle lanes along Lake Rd. Our members often choose to drive as well as cycle, and some of them have experienced the issues first hand driving between Takapuna and Devonport.

However, we understand that North Shore City Council is working hard to sort the problems out. We are hopeful that the re-phasing of the lights at the Lake Road and Winscombe Street junction will reduce the delays there. In this day and age of rising oil prices and an increasing imperative to reduce our carbon emissions, we support the Council's leadership in seeing this project through and hope that we are all able to show a degree of patience whilst the teething problems are resolved.

Devonport is a community that places value on people and the environment. Cycle lanes are a reflection of this – a greener, safer, people (rather than car) oriented community. So how about we give the new lane configuration time to bed down. If we continue to experience congestion, then let's bring the experts in to understand what the actual problem is. The council is to be applauded for what they are trying to achieve on our behalf so lets give it a go before demanding that it be reversed or blaming any current congestion incidents on the changes.

I have read with interest the letters from disgruntled readers living in Bayswater and Devonport about the cycle lane in Lake Road. I arrived in Auckland eleven years ago to live on the North Shore. On my very first trip to Devonport just after arriving I was surprised to see that a road so wide as Lake Road carried only one lane in each direction when it was obvious two would alleviate some of the traffic snarls experienced at that time. Over the ensuing eleven years, I have not noticed any reduction in traffic, in fact to the contrary. So if both these letter writers have lived in that part of town for any length of time, why has it taken them so long to become disgruntled sufficiently to put pen to paper? My observation has been that this road has gone from one lane to two lanes then back to one in both directions during the time I have lived on the Shore.

I do not therefore think that all this disruption they write about has come since the cycle lane has been added. I believe that it is the incompetence of drivers, unable to form or hold two lanes without lines painted on the road, that causes some of the delays and traffic snarls. (I suspect these same drivers can only write if there are lines on the paper!). The cycle lanes are there to protect the large numbers of cyclists who use Lake Road on regular basis. To say there are but one or two cyclists would indicate tome that this particular person is an irregular user of the road, or like many other drivers, is oblivious to cyclists on the road around her and for whom therefore the cycle lane is imperative for safety.

All progressive cities around the world are providing more rather than less cycle lanes. Is Auckland, and the North Shore council in particular, regressive in this respect, or are these letters from people who are just plain selfish and subscribe to the "***** you jack. I'm alright" school of thought and represent just a small percentage of our community? I would hope that the Council looks beyond such people and caters for a larger percentage of the local community and therefore not only retain the cycle lanes, but adds more of them.

As a regular cyclist and father of three enthusiastic young cyclists I am in full support of both the new Lake Rd cycle lanes and the more scenic coastal Devonport - Takapuna cycle route. The North Shore City Council should be congratulated for providing the amenities for more people to safely get out on their bikes to enjoy this great area.

A number of previous letters have commented that no cyclists are using the new lanes, this is of course incorrect as many cyclists are using Lake Rd both for commuting to and from the ferry and schools and also on recreational rides. The use of the lanes will certainly increase once the cycle lanes are completed and cyclists can more safely proceed along the full length of Lake Rd. I am looking forward to the completion of the lanes so that I can feel confident in letting my children take their bikes to their various activities rather than getting in the car and adding to car congestion. For those frustrated car users apparently crawling from Bayswater to Barrys Point Road and back, why not take the bike? It is only a five minute journey and you may even de-stress with the exercise!

Change often brings chaos as people adjust to new circumstances. So maybe those rushing to judgement about the new cycle lanes of Lake Road should wait a month or so to see, how everyone adjusts to the new road layout. As for those who believe that there is no need for cycle lanes because there aren't many cyclists using them, they should consider that about 750,000 people cycle on a monthly basis based on the Ministry of Transport's Household Travel Survey for 2003-2006.

The rise in the number of cyclists is backed up by Statistics New Zealand which recorded that 230,000 cycles were imported into New Zealand in the year ending June 2006 compared to just over 200,000 new and used car imports in the same period. In fact, over a million cycles were imported into New Zealand in the five years to 30 June 2006. As the numbers of cyclists rises it is only fair that adjustments are made to roads to ensure the safety of cyclists, and consequently motorists. Or are opponents of the cycle lanes saying that cyclists' safety is not important? If so, a little more tolerance and patience by all road users would go a long way.

The anger that has been generated by the Lake Rd cycleway, to me, amply demonstrates why the human race and the planet that supports it is in so much difficulty. The vast majority of us now accept global warming as a reality, we accept that the burning of fossil fuels is a significant contributor to global warming. We accept that our society is in the grip of an obesity epidemic, that we and our children are fatter than any previous generations. We accept that a significant contributor to this epidemic is our sedentary lifestyles. Logic would suggest then that when a City Council actually has the foresight to do something very simple and very positive about these grim realities, such as creating a cycleway on one of its main roads, people would applaud the initiative, celebrate it, get off their ever-increasing backsides and use it. Instead large numbers of people have reacted in exactly the opposite way. They have poured scorn on the City Council, on the cycleway and on the cyclists who might use it. Why? Because their car or SUV trip to work or to drop the kids off to school might now take longer and cause them inconvenience, or they'll have less space to park when they want to pick up their takeaways for dinner. What does this sort of reaction tell us? It tells us that despite the immense amount of publicity that the global warming crisis and obesity epidemic have received there are still many ignorant people. Perhaps it tells us that some people are supportive of attacking these problems but not if it's going to cause any sort of inconvenience to them personally. In response to these people I repeat a well-known saying: "If not me, then who? If not now, then when?" Embrace the cycle way, use the cycle way, have your children use the cycle way, let Devonport and the North Shore become known for its cyclists, not its bumper to bumper SUVs, reduce your pollution, lose weight, improve your health. Let's see children cycling to school again and adults cycling to work or to the shops, let's see cyclists in droves. Then not only will Lake Rd and the North Shore be healthier places for it, so will the country and the world.

As a cyclist and motorist I share the frustration over the delays and disruption on Lake Road, but it helps to know some facts. The cycle lane design at Winscombe/Bardia St was carefully modelled and analysed by traffic engineers before it was adopted. This showed that the changes would not cause significant delays. The problems occurring in the past 2 weeks are partly due to the traffic light phasing. This has now been adjusted and the intersection is being closely monitored. Other delays have been caused by the work in progress and errors with the markings.

I know motorists would feel better if they could see more cyclists on the lanes. I am already noticing an increase, but don't expect too much change until the cycle lane is complete and word gets around that the road is now safer. It is new, and a little different, but we all stand to gain from improved travel options. Devonport has a proud history of environmental awareness, innovation and courage, so let's show a bit of tolerance while we get this new system under way.