Marlborough Walking and Cycling Strategy 1.3 Is there national support for this? A national walking and cycling strategy was produced in 2005 called "Getting there – on foot, by cycle". The national strategy confirms that central government is committed to promoting active modes of transport. Options for financial support for local projects include funding from the ministries of health and conservation, sport and recreation New Zealand, and transport. Goals for health, physical activity and the environment may all be achieved by putting this strategy into action. The Government’s recent New Zealand Cycle Trail and Walking and Cycling Model Communities initiatives indicate its support of developing infrastructure and promoting cycling in New Zealand. 1.4 What is the current situation? Data in appendix C show that walking and cycling to work in Marlborough have been steadily declining since 1986. Compared to the rest of the country, however, Marlborough has above average mode splits for walking and cycling. Unfortunately, this is also reflected in Marlborough’s crash rates for pedestrians and cyclists, which are significantly higher than other similar districts and the overall national average. Severities of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are generally worse than severities of motor vehicle only crashes. In short, action must be taken to reverse the decline in levels of walking and cycling and decrease the crash rates involving these vulnerable modes. Anecdotal observations of recreational cycling indicate a significant increase, particularly in road cycling and, to a lesser extent, mountain biking. Walking and cycling trips in Marlborough are typically centred on the urban areas, particularly in Blenheim. This strategy seeks to strengthen links to major destinations such as schools and colleges, the central business zone, major outlying suburbs such as Riverlands and other places of work. The Taylor River path in Blenheim is an important existing facility that enables such trips. In a recent study of the existing walking environment in Blenheim it was found that Blenheim has many1 positive aspects for pedestrians. These include high quality, well-maintained footpaths, signed public toilets, well-designed and placed pedestrian crossings and low-speed motor traffic that co-operates well with pedestrians. Some aspects were identified as adequate but not best practice, including inconsistent provision for people with physical disabilities, inconsistent quality of seating, possible personal security issues and lack of consistent policy regarding street furniture. Issues in need of attention were identified as lack of pedestrian wayfinding aids, hidden walking routes and lack of public art or aesthetic interventions for improving pedestrian spaces. Proposals have also been made to redevelop Blenheim’s Central Business Zone.2 Suggestions to integrate of land use, transportation and urban design features and include a street network improvements such as road realignments, road extensions, road construction, bridge construction and conversion of the middle section of Market Street (currently one-way) into a two-way street. The report also suggests several walking and cycling improvements, including new crossing provisions (signalised and unsignalised), cycle lane installation, traffic calming measures, speed reductions, ramp connections to riverside paths and safety investigations. An Access and Mobility Forum was formed by Council in 2002 and has a broad representation from many less physically able groups, service and health providers and government and non government organisations. A significant focus of the forum has been on accessibility around the town centres and within 1 Tolley, R. (2009). Improving Walkability in Blenheim. Report for Marlborough District Council. 2 Urbansim Plus Ltd., Pocock Design: Environment Ltd., Prosperous Places Pty Ltd., Patrick Partners Pty Ltd., TTM Consulting Pty Ltd. (2009). Blenheim Town Centre; A Vision for the Future. Report for Marlborough District Council. Page 6