iWay has a successful first 12 months
Hastings District Council’s iWay project has achieved a number of significant milestones during its first 12 months, all of which are aimed at enhancing walking and cycling around Hastings.
In July 2010, Hastings District Council beat off 22 challengers from around the country to win Government funding of $4.1m to promote walking and cycling throughout the district. The funding gave rise to the iWay project, which was officially launched in February, this year.
Highlights from the first year include
- development of the link between the Hastings CBD and Flaxmere, which includes the construction of 1.8 kilometres of off road cycle and walkway along Wilson Road
- the marking of 25 kilometres of new cycle lanes
- upgrades and changes to markings at a number of intersections
- changes to the road surface at railway crossings
- a New Zealand first which saw bikes distributed to the community through the prison recycling programme. The bikes were sourced from the Henderson Road Transfer Station and restored by prison inmates
- distinctive cycle stands are appearing throughout the district
iWay project co-coordinator Owen Mata says “those projects and the many events held during the year - including the commuter challenge, Heels on Wheels and the Big Bike fixups - have all combined to make walking and cycling easy, safe and fun around the district”.
“The second year will see further development of the iWay project” Mr Mata says. “A study is being undertaken of Havelock Road, which includes a cycleway linking the CBD with Havelock North while planning is underway for the development of a link between the CBD and Clive. There will also be cycle lanes added in other parts of the district, along with signage and other facilities”.
Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says” momentum for the iWay project has steadily grown throughout the last 12 months and will be maintained, as we continue our efforts to make Hastings a national leader in walking and cycling.
“The project has met the targets set for the first 12 months and our residents are now finding it much easier and safer to walk or cycle. Visitors to Hastings are also enjoying using the new cycleways” Mrs Bowers says.
Other iWay milestones achieved in the first year included:
- 177 kids trained in cycle safety
- 378 bikes fixed at the Big Bike Fixups
- 730 iWay friends on Facebook
- 480 iWalk Challenge walkers