Ensuring people have choices about how they get around and have access to good cycling networks are priorities for Hamilton, with significant prior investment having already been made in high-quality cycling facilities. These facilities have been transformational and now form part of Hamilton’s primary cycling network.
Hamilton’s new Biking Plan aims to develop a fully connected, on and off-road cycle network linking schools and major employment areas with the city and suburbs to encourage more people to cycle more often. Hamilton is perfectly positioned to realise this goal with a growing and young population of 150,000, five national cycle trails in the Waikato region, and with the nearby key sport cycling destination of Cambridge.
The Urban Cycleways Fund will contribute to investment into the Western Rail Trail, a flagship project connecting the south western suburbs into the Hamilton CBD. In addition, the Te Awa link from Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, already funded by the Urban Cycleways Fund, will be completed.
Wider investment will also be made in new cycleways on Resolution Drive, Northern Rototuna Expressway, Wairere Drive and along Ohaupo Road (SH3). A project will be progressed linking 15 schools between Wairere Drive in the north to Clyde Street in the south and these infrastructure improvements will be supported by road safety and promotional activities.
Download the Hamilton Urban Cycleways map .
View the SH3 Ohaupo Road flyer .
2015-2018 project
Western Rail Trail
This 2.7km off-road shared path will connect the south western suburbs of Hamilton with the city centre, Hamilton Girls’ High School and Wintec City Campus, utilising the rail corridor. This will complete a key part of Hamilton’s primary network, linking to existing cycling networks in both the CBD and south western Hamilton. Hamilton City Council funding of over $4 million will be invested into other areas of the primary network, focused on providing high quality cycling connections from the Waikato Expressway onto the local roading network, and a dedicated connection across State Highway 1.
Benefits
Hamilton has already built over 150km of its cycling network. Completion of this 'missing' link will make cycling to the CBD and other key locations a comfortable and realistic transport choice for residents of the south western suburbs. It will also provide a connection to future sections of the network planned to the north. This new off-road facility will offer a direct and attractive option for commuters, many of whom currently use busy on-road routes, and school children, with over 1600 students within 500m of the route. The Western Rail Trail is expected to attract over 300 users a day.
Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2016 and be completed by December 2016.
2014-15 projects
Download the January 2015 launch factsheet Te Awa Cycleway (Hamilton To Ngāruawāhia)
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