Access to Botanical Gardens lost to many visitors
I have to say I definitely agree with this letter. I’m keen on Wellington City Council building more cycle lanes; they are ultimately the way of the future as climate change makes cars less viable and acceptable.
However, the last time we went to the gardens was a few weeks ago and we could only do that because it was a mid-week afternoon and we got a car park by the rose garden.
There were me and the ma-in-law taking it slowly on our walking sticks and Kate having to hold herself and the dog back as we staggered along. We couldn’t have managed it if we had to walk from miles away where the off-street parks are available.
The hard reality of the Glenmore St cycle lane is that it does far more harm than good. Ratepayers have been actively denied access to the gardens and there can be no reasonable contrary argument. It is no answer to say that public transport is available or that there was no other place to put the cycle lane. It should never have been built.
And that is from a neighbour who says he is a long-term cyclist, so is presumably a supporter of them in the city.