Each year in Auckland there are approximately 200 reported casualties involving cyclists and between 1 and 3 cyclists are killed on Auckland roads.

Did you know . . . ? People in the Auckland region have one of the worst records for wearing cycle helmets, which may reflect a lack of attention to this safety intervention in the region. Injuries to cyclists show a slightly increasing trend, but the overall number of deaths and injuries is small (Note: under-reporting of cycle crashes is well recognised). Source: Regional Road Safety Plan

There are environmental and health benefits of increased cycle use, however it is recognised that promotion of this healthy and sustainable form of transport can only be possible through significant improvements in:

• Motorists’ willingness to share the road
  
• Cycle-friendly roading measures
  
• Safer cyclist behaviour

Cyclists account for about 5% of the road casualties in the Auckland region, while cycling accounts for around 2% of trips to full-time work in the region. Determining the level of safety or risk for cyclists in relation to other road users is confounded by several factors:

• An estimated under-reporting crashes of up to 40-50 percent
  
• The difficulty in accessing the number, frequency, and length of cycle trips (with a focus on commuter trips).
  
• Cyclists generally pose a low-risk to other road users.
  
• There are health benefits in regular cycling and disadvantages if these journeys are replaced by motor vehicle use.
  
• Cycling may actually be safer for at-risk drivers than motor vehicle use.
  
• It appears that an increased presence of cyclists acts as a means of making it safer for cycling generally, with the converse also being true.

The introduction of mandatory wearing of cycle helmets was considered a major safety improvement, but had its critics New Zealand and overseas. A major concern has been the disincentive to cycling and consequent impact on health through decreased levels of exercise. The latest annual national survey of helmet use in New Zealand by cyclists of all ages was carried out in February, March and April, 2008 (Ministry of Transport). It showed that the Auckland region has a lower rate of cycle helmet use (85%) compared to the whole of New Zealand (92%).

Local councils have commenced a programme of installing cycle lanes or paths. This is a commendable effort, but has also been criticised as being not enough. Lower speed limits have been recommended as a key to improving cyclist safety by increasing driver reaction time and thereby reducing the incidence and severity of pedestrian or cyclist crashes.

There are various education programmes available, mainly through schools or directed at children. These programmes have been under threat in recent years and are generally implemented in an ad hoc or inconsistent manner. Availability of programmes and content is generally excellent which provides opportunities for further implementation of programmes.

Auckland Regional Walking & Cycling Group

ARTA convenes the Auckland Regional Walking and Cycling Group, which developed the Cycling Action Plan (part of the Sustainable Transport Plan). The group includes representatives of local councils, walking and cycling advocacy groups, central government agencies and other organisations with interests in promoting safe cycling and walking. The group also runs an annual Cycle Monitoring Programme to count the number of cyclists on the region's roads.

The purpose of the Auckland Regional Walking & Cycling Group is to foster improved coordination and information sharing between planning, policy setting, implementation agencies and stakeholders, including advocacy groups focused on walking and cycling. It also has a key role in establishing a robust cycling and walking network including fostering advocacy at the local level.

For more information about the Auckland Regional Walking & Cycling Group contact Brian Horspool by telephone (09) 379 4422 or download the Sustainable Transport Plan.