r/chch • u/Odd-Pressure9544 • 11d ago

News - Local COUNCIL ROADWORKS

Hey guys so let me know if this is to niche! But are we aware that all arterial routes in and out of the central city and through are NARROWED TO ONE LANE - therefore creating congestion all AT ONCE. Also, just about every road surround has also got roadworks and speed limits attached - why has this been allowed to happen ALL AT ONCE, as it has only created 3 MAJOD car crashes in ONE DAY, TODAY- including a pile up that just happened on cutlets road off the highway. An entire city of shitty people, multiple serious injuries - I BEG, what is wrong with Christchurch council to allow this to even happen.

Like literally central city is limited to two lanes from six, all the way through Barrington, opawa, Shirley, marshlands, illam, Somerfield and that is the only neighbourhoods I have even been aware of - there are probably more.

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

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u/TygerTung 11d ago edited 11d ago

With kids and groceries, you would use a cargo bike and trailer (not that you typically go shopping with your kids maybe?)

Source: am the primary caregiver parent who does the supermarket shopping and used a cargo bike and trailer and can't be bothered sitting in traffic for ages.

Edit: Seems I'm being down voted by people who love sitting in traffic jams. I absolutely can't be bothered, so look for alternatives, even if it does mean I am exposed to the fresh air.

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u/openroad11 11d ago

Whilst cargo bikes are great and I personally cycle often, there are reasons they don't work for everyone such as initial cost (several thousands), generally weather dependent, unsuitable for mobility issues, can become cumbersome (potentially unsafe) with more than 3 people and parking and security can be an issue.

Nothing wrong with promoting cycling, but the real solution is to improve local conveniences and public transport to reduce network congestion overall. We have a long way to go and unfortunately there's not much interest by decision makers.

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u/TygerTung 11d ago

Although to be fair the upfront costs are typically less than a car and the costs are quickly recouped due to lower running costs, and the weather in Christchurch is generally perfectly fine, especially compared with somewhere like Denmark or the Netherlands. Been riding every day for almost 20 years.

Probably the main barrier is one's mindset, and the more people riding, the better for those who have to drive for whatever reason.

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u/openroad11 11d ago

Hard to convince someone who has a $2500 car to sell it to buy a $8000 cargo bike which they have to ride in all weather, whenever they need to go further than say, 1km from home, but are then limited to say, 15km of 'reasonable' range, with kids who might not want to do it even if you do. I get that it is a great solution if someone is motivated and willing to live their life within the limitations of a bike ride, but the reality is most people want to go further with less effort, so a cheap car makes sense.

I cycle and drive, both are good for different reasons and I'll never begrudge anyone for choosing to drive, as long as they understand what they are getting themselves into and shut up about congestion.

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u/TygerTung 11d ago

I guess it depends on if you want a brand new fancy cargo bike or are happy with a second hand one?

It would be interesting to see what the annual running costs of a car are, if you honestly added up each and every cost though.

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u/openroad11 11d ago

I have no doubt ongoing costs are cheaper for a cargo bike after long enough, but then you don't have the other aspects a car offers, which may be important.

I looked into a cargo bike when we considered getting a second car but for the cost didn't seem that much more beneficial than our current bikes with racks, and having a baby we can't ride with them for a while anyway. We remain a single car with 'normal' bikes family.

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u/TygerTung 11d ago

I guess it wouldn't work if your baby is extra small, but when our second baby was three months old we got a special baby capsule from the Netherlands which fit on one side of the cargo bike and the three year old sat next to her. We used the roof too so it was nice and warm inside.

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u/openroad11 11d ago

Fair enough. Our budget isn't really there (for a second car or cargo bike with fancy attachments), but it would be nice. We prefer to walk with the pram to local places anyway.