Bike Waikato July 2023 Newsletter
CERF Upgrades in full swing: A letter from our Chairperson
What a busy month for cycling!
Shovels have finally touched the ground for the first of twenty-nine CERF projects in Frankton, Hamilton. It’s incredible to see these projects that have been ideas on paper for such a long time becoming reality, and especially at such pace – the announcement of CERF funding was only late last year. It goes to show what can happen when our public systems are encouraged to move at pace, and we’re glad to see it!
In addition to three projects approved by Hamilton City Council in May, a further six have been approved in June, including connections between the Western Rail Trail and Melville, separated cycleways on Horsham Downs, and safer rail crossings at Killarney Road and Claudelands Road. We want to express our gratitude and thanks to those who helped us to make this happen by making submissions and speaking at public forum.
Help us push for progress
It continues to be vitally important for the community to show that they are behind these projects. For example, the Horsham Downs project was only passed on a tie-breaker vote with Councillors voting against it due to (unsubstantiated) claims of delay and congestion caused by a proposed in-lane bus stop and concerns about a lack of community engagement. That means that we still have work to do to get these across the line.
If you are local to, and/or would benefit from any of the projects listed on the HCC site, use our quick-email links below to express your support in five-seconds flat! The link will create a generic email with the project reference – just add your name, any comments, and click send.
| Name | Link | Closing Date |
| Bader Connections TP4782 | https://tinyurl.com/Baderconnection | 1 August 2023 |
| Riverlea Connections TP4895 | https://tinyurl.com/RiverleaConnections | 4 August 2023 |
| Rifle Range Road Upgrade TP4893 | https://tinyurl.com/RifleRangeUpgrade | 8 August 2023 |
| Tristram Street Upgrade TP4890 | https://tinyurl.com/TristramStreetUpgrade | 8 August 2023 |
| Rotokauri/Baverstock Upgrade TP4898 | https://tinyurl.com/RotokauriBaverstock | 8 August 2023 |
| Killarney Road Upgrade TP4879 | https://tinyurl.com/KillarneyRoadUpgrade | 14 August 2023 |
| Brooklyn Road Upgrade TP4725 | https://tinyurl.com/BrooklynRoadUpgrade | 18 August 2023 |
We are also starting to see the start of a fierce election season with candidate hoardings appearing around the region. We are currently preparing our plans for how to engage with the election process and encourage further funding for cycling and active modes in the next Parliamentary term, and we will keep you up-to-date.
Keep riding, and stay safe.
Melissa Smith, Bike Waikato Chairperson
