About this decision

Cycleways is an area where we have ambition to seriously lift our game – we’d like to build a network of connected and safe cycleways that allows Wellingtonians to be able to choose cycling as a mode of transport.

What's the background to this decision?

We want to speedup the rollout of a network of safe bike paths, lanes and connections. The aim is for more Wellingtonians to make some trips by bike, or choose cycling as their main mode of transport. Our full programme for the cycle network is at our Transport Projects site. If all of the routes were progressed, would cost $226m across the 10 years of this plan.

We know that to meet our carbon zero goals and, make Wellington a more liveable city we need to change the way we move around our city. Transport is one of the biggest contributors to Wellington's carbon emissions. The community is telling us to make this a priority, so we are.

There are four options

Option 1:
Finish Started Projects
Option 2:
Medium Investment
Option 3:
High Investment (preferred)
Option 4:
Accelerated Full Programme
Option 1 includes finishing the eastern connections route, including the connection into Miramar and the Evans Bay coastal route in the first three years of the plan
This option is a medium level of investment but, is still a reduced programme compared to Option 3 and 4. the option would see the Council:
  • completing what we have started in Option 1; and
  • allocate $500,000 each year for minor improvements and tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as key form of transport

Option three is a prioritised full programme. The aim is complete $120m of that programme during the next decade. This includes:
  • $1m per year for minor improvements; and
  • tactical projects to encourage people to shift to cycling as a key form of transport.
This would be 60 percent ($45m) increase in funding over what was allocated in the 2018 Long-term Plan

This option includes our full $226m programme. The aim is to complete the programme during the next decade. It includes the same $1m per year and tactical projects as in option 3.
New cycleways projects will be prioritised in year 1. Delivery would begin from year 2. These routes would include the cycleways detailed in the detailed pro and cons below.
There are also risks to consider:

  • significant uncertainty on the option's affordability; and
  • the ability of the sector to deliver such a large programme of work
Capital cost and debt impact: $29m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $39m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $120m (over 10 years)
Capital cost and debt impact: $226m (over 10 years)
Rates change: 0.67% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.69% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 0.76% 3 year average increase
Rates change: 1.31% 3 year average increase


Our preferred option

Our preferred option is option 3 high Investment which is $120m of the full $226m programme (option 4) in this decade. This is a $45m or 60 percent increase in funding for cycleways than what was planned in the previous Long-Term Plan We believe Option 3 balances the need for increased investment in this area with what is affordable for the Council and what we will be able to deliver.

Want to know more about our 7 big decisions? Head back to our Long-term Plan homepage or read our full consultation document.