A New Zealand organisation has raised concerns about a proposal by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger to “remove an on-street, protected cycle lane on Park Tce and replace it with a shared path.”

Living Streets Aotearoa, which advocates for safe, separated footpaths for pedestrians and safe, separated cycleways for people using bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, said the change would put people at risk.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said, “I was disappointed in the process that led to the current temporary Park Avenue footpath solution.

“The feedback I have had is that it is under utilised. I want to be clear, I am not against cycleways, just how much money we spend on them. I have not seen any evidence that this idea would lead to a clash between cyclists and pedestrians.”

Council agreed to trial the cycleway for five years.

Living Streets Aotearoa Christchurch spokeswoman Carina Duke said “Living Streets Aotearoa does not support shared paths as conflict between users can arise due to the different speeds of pedestrians and cyclists, space constraints, and the unpredictable behaviour of some users,” she said.

“Cycling speeds may average as high as 30km/h compared with an average of 4–5km/h for walking. Since these two modes of transport have very different speeds, making cyclists and pedestrians use the same shared path can lead to safety issues.

“Having to share a path with cyclists can also make pedestrians feel unsafe and deter them from using shared paths, particularly older people, people with young children and those with disabilities.”

Duke added that ageing populations made the issue even more urgent.

“Since New Zealand has an aging population, the need to provide appropriate infrastructure for the changing population is becoming urgent. A survey of older people in Sydney found that 39% of people aged 60 or older identified people riding bicycles on shared paths as a constraint to their walking. Safe, separated footpaths are necessary for an age-friendly city.

“In the case of the Park Tce cycle lane, the current infrastructure is a separated cycle lane and a dedicated footpath, and it is working well for pedestrians and cyclists. There is no need to spend $300,000 making a shared path that doesn’t suit either group.”

But Mauger said “the money we have already spent on the temporary layout could have delivered a permanent fix, one that serves our city long-term.”

“So, I’ve taken the initiative and privately commissioned and paid for an independent engineering design for a four-metre-wide shared path to sit over the existing footpath, avoiding waste and unnecessary demolition costs.

“This is a practical, long-term solution that supports safe walking and cycling, reduces congestion, and can be delivered for around $300,000 – a fraction of what a traditional Council-led project might cost.

“After the election, if I am returned as Mayor, I would take the proposal to my council colleagues to seek a vote supporting it. If councillors supported this concept, by Christmas we would want to get advice on the plan from council staff and then they could work with contractors to confirm costs and a timeline.

“There is no point doing it if councillors don’t support it, so it’ll depend on the numbers around the table. If it gets support all the details will be worked through.”

A June council report found cycleways were the service most frequently identified by submitters as one they “could do without,” according to feedback on the 2025 Annual Plan. The report said 168 submitters provided input, with each identifying an average of 1.3 services they considered unnecessary.

In 2023, lawyer Storm McVay told the council there was no problem on Park Terrace that needed solving, pointing out cycle tracks were already flanked on both sides of the river.

She criticised council staff for ignoring residents, prompting mayoral candidate Sara Templeton and other councillors to walk out during her deputation.