The Christchurch City Council has agreed to proceed with the detailed design and installation of cycle facilities on Colombo Street between Bealey Avenue and the Avon River bridge, near Kilmore Street.

The cycle connection will link the central city with the Papanui Parallel cycleway.

In a statement the council said the design also retains the majority of on-street parking, and for the safety of all road users, the speed limit in that stretch of Colombo Street will be lowered to 30km/h.

Cr Mike Davidson, who chaired the Colombo Street Cycle Connection Hearings Panel, said the new cycle facilities will provide a vital link to the city’s cycleway network.

“We are experiencing a steady increase in the number of people cycling, particularly within the four avenues. This new cycle link will make it easier and safer for those travelling between the city centre and the north of Christchurch”

“It is designed as a temporary project so that we can test its effectiveness in a slow speed environment. If it works as well as we hope it will, we will look at designing and building a permanent solution along Colombo Street from Bealey Avenue to Kilmore Street.”