Cycling Access over Waiwhakaiho Bridge on SH3

For cyclists heading north out of New Plymouth

2006-12-03T16:57:00.001+13:00

Getting onto the foot path for heading out of town can be convoluted. If coming from Fitzroy, there are no big problems, just get up onto the foot path at a driveway and head around. If coming from New Plymouth you have to negotiate the traffic lights and traffic islands to get off the road.

Once at the other end there is no proper access back to the cycle lane that starts just north of the bridge unless you have a mountain bike and are confident of getting off kerbs. Not the usual scenario for the school kid or elderly commuter.

For cyclists going west into New Plymouth

2006-12-03T16:02:00.001+13:00

For kids coming from Glen Avon down Queen St (seen coming towards camera in first photo) or if one is coming in from further north and is not comfortable/afraid to go on the road across the bridge, i.e. usually older riders and those of school age, the option is to get off the road just past Queen St and ride along the foot path over the bridge.

However, at the other end, to get back into the cycle lane involves going around the underpass sign (seen in the first blog's photo below), riding across the grass, getting between the timber fence and using the driveway to get back onto the road.

To get to Fitzroy, one uses the underpass to go under the road to get onto the Fitzroy side of SH3 and one then can go along the footpath or through the netball courts to get to ones destination.

General view looking north towards Waiwakaiho industrial and shopping areas

2006-12-03T15:54:00.001+13:00

Over the bridge the bike lanes have disappeared and are replaced by yellow dotted lines.

General view entrance onto bridge looking west towards New Plymouth

2006-12-03T15:34:00.001+13:00

Two lanes of traffic leading into town, left hand lane leads to 70 km section leading into New Plymouth, right hand lane leads to suburb of Fitzroy. One lane heading north.