Use of the Peninsula Track during lockdown has led to the conclusion that it is not working as a dual use track in these difficult times. We have written to the Council this morning requesting that the Track be restricted to walkers. Here is what we said:
Dual use Tracks: Kelvin Peninsula Track
Kelvin Peninsula Community Association requests the Council closes the Kelvin Peninsula Track to cyclists with immediate effect for the duration of COVID-19 Alert Level 4 (or equivalent Alert Level 3 local travel limitations).
The Track is experiencing significant increase in both walkers of all ages and cyclists. It is apparent that a significant number of cyclists:
- are not local to Kelvin Peninsula;
- travel at excessive speed given the dual use of the Track and its often narrow and winding nature;
- show little regard for other users of the Track, do not have or use a bell and create a real risk of injury; and
- cannot observe the necessary physical distancing because of the nature of the Track.
KPCA notes the latest Ministry of Health notice – https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/Legislation-and-key-documents/COVID-19-Section-701f-Notice-to-all-persons-in-New-Zealand-3-April-2020-v2.PDF – states that exercise is permitted in “an outdoor place that can be readily accessed from their residence” and provided the physical distancing requirements are observed.
The accompanying press release from Police and Health, makes it clear that we should “stay local, apply common sense and not do anything that could risk exposure to injury or require search and rescue services” (https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/additional-guidelines-alert-level-4-rules-0).
KPCA also notes that the QLDC has said via its FaceBook page that the physical distancing requirements apply to the use of its tracks. Experience shows that this physical distancing is not possible for cyclists given the current levels of use of Kelvin Peninsula Track.
Residents and visitors in lockdown on Kelvin Peninsula who wish to exercise by cycling can safely do so on Peninsula Road given the low number of cars on the road during Alert Level 4.
We appreciate that this issue may well apply to many of the Council’s tracks, but none-the-less ask that this be dealt with as a matter of urgency at least in relation to the Kelvin Peninsula Track.
Totally disagree with this. Cyclists are are always preserved as the brunt of people’s problems in this country.
Dual use track ( cyclists / pedestrians)
Footpaths ( pedestrians )
Road (cars / cyclist )
If the council creates an exemption for this submission now it will be hard to reinstate.
There are as many inconsiderate walkers ( headphones/two abreast etc) as there are inconsiderate cyclists.
Let’s just be kind to each other. And not sweet the small stuff.
Brilliant. Have almost been run over by multiple cyclists. Many are rude and none have bells. If I were elderly (70+) I would be terrified to be out on the track. We should do our best to preserve access to our resources for the most at risk. Not just pent-up individuals looking for a quick hoot down the trail on a mountain bike. I write this as an avid mountain biker, and I see no need for bikes on the trail at this time.
I totally disagree with this stance that KPCA is taking on this issue. It should remain a dual use track. Both walkers and cyclists need to be courteous to each other. If you haven’t got a bell you do have a voice. Cyclists need to let walkers know they are there, politely and be patient until going past. Walkers/runners get rid of the headphones and move to single file when you see/hear a cyclist.
You say experience shows that physical distancing is not possible for cyclists. Walkers are no different to cyclists in this respect. I have seen walkers from different groups side by side along the track well under the SD 2 meter rule.
I will also point out that there are still cars on the roads and there has already been one death of a cyclist hit by a car during lock down.
Above all nobody needs to be a dick, we all need to be considerate and kind and get thru this together.
I agree with beau!
I do not agree. I have been riding my bike along this track for for nearly 30 years. Long before it was flattened for walkers and long before many people resided here. The lockdown rules state we can ride our bikes locally and not drive to a destination. I reach the Kelvin Heights track within 5 minutes of riding from my house. This has always been the track I use when short of time to go for a bike ride. To say it’s not my local track is absolutely ridiculous. I am considerate and try & go when it’s less busy. I used the track yesterday on an overcast day and it wasn’t any busier than pre lockdown. I slow down to waking pace and give as much room as another walker would. Many walkers wear head phones. Some continue to walk in the middle of the path & don’t make any effort with the 2 meter rule. I could insists these people are banned too. Instead I recognize there will always be people who don’t follow the rules. In times like this we should all come together. We should work together to find a solution. Walkers shouldn’t have more right to use the track and neither should bikers. If both recreations can’t be considerate of each other then perhaps time slots should be allocated during the lockdown? Walkers use the track until 12 pm and bikers use the track after 12 pm. I certainly do not advocate that any group be banned from using the track altogether. If anyone doesn’t want to share the track they themselves may prefer to use the road instead.
I disagree with this I have many memories of biking to and fro from my friends houses when I was at school. Are young children suppose to bike on the road where there are people who don’t look where they are going. Because they are too busy looking at the amazing views that Kelvin Heights has to offer. Bikers and walkers/runners can all be considerate of each other.
Let’s be practical. Let’s call them humans, regardless of their chosen form of recreation. If humans can’t social distance (can’t visualise a biker needing a different 2 metres than a walker)
Humans in conflict has nothing to do with whether they ride or not unless a bigot is prejudged by the others choice of recreation. There will be idiots on both sides of the equation. Meanwhile the rest need to learn to get along because if it’s deemed as unsuitable for one group, it is equally unsuitable for the other.
Share with care.
It is not a KPCA trail, it is part of the basins public trails, please don’t set the precedent or the un-necessary conflict that a miss guided inability to work together will lead to. Of all the troubles looming in our region, bikers and walkers squabbling and amassing against each other could be seen as negative and trivial.
Share with care and don’t let the idiots on both sides spoil it for the rest of us who share respectfully and considerately.
I agree with Beau. The is a dual use track. Worked fine before Coronavirus. Should work fine now. We need to stop pointing the fingers at one another and Learn to share. Take off the headphones, call out when coming up to a walker if on a bike. Step aside and let people pass without begrudging them their mode of transport. We are all in this together.
Covid 19 on cycles
Keep at least 2m away from other trail users, and be considerate. When approaching other people slow down so that it’s easier to maintain this separation, and always give way to walkers. Avoid narrow tracks where maintaining this separation may be difficult.
https://nzcycletrail.com/need-to-know/