Slowly but surely, the transport mode shift we've been told is required to cut carbon emissions is happening around the country. In some places, it's also having unintended consequences. In my part of Wellington, Oriental Bay, a new bike lane at the entrance to the bay has made it easier for people to cycle through a busy part of town. But from my apartment, I now watch rush-hour and weekend traffic back up along the bay in a way it never did before.
Wellington City Council tweaked the traffic light phasing on Kent Terrace to try to fix the problem, but in February admitted that congestion monitoring showed "queues are still longer than they were before installation".
I'm not entering the fractious cars vs cyclists debate. We need to make more room for cyclists on our roads but clearly the incentives to leave the car at home and either cycle to work or catch the bus aren't yet strong enough.
Denne historien er fra April 27-May 3, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra April 27-May 3, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Sights to behold
Being blind didn't deter Aucklander FRASER ALEXANDER and his partially-sighted wife from travelling in Europe. Their memories were shaped by sound, touch and smell.
Pages of delight
Charming survey of children's literature throughout the centuries should be treasured and reread.
Heart of the matter
Women are less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than men, and less likely to get best treatment. Researchers are struggling with old stereotypes to right the balance.
Balaclava beats
Their paramilitary shtick is intentionally menacing, offensive and alienating, but to be fair to the hip-hop trio Kneecap, their infamous balaclava is disarmingly hilarious. Kneecap, the 2024 movie that offers a fictionalised account of their rise to fame, is a Bafta- and Oscar-nominated Northern Irish film sensation.
Friends like these
One of the stranger characteristics of the populist oligarchy mobilising around Donald Trump's new administration is the interest taken in the domestic politics of the UK.
Irresistible force
A new documentary about gentle rugby giant Jonah Lomu reveals little but is a reminder of what made him special.
Fleeing the nest
A tale of building a new life after an abusive relationship makes for an impressive debut.
Life less ordinary
Chelsie Preston Crayford follows a big 2024 with a new comedy role and putting the finishing touches on her debut feature as a director and writer.
Not on our watch
Nasa, one of the most technologically advanced organisations on the planet, made prospective astronauts take inkblot tests to determine their sexuality.
No free lunch
The new, cut-price school lunch programme will shut out many community providers. But will bulk-supplied meals meet children’s needs?
