News

Expectations that the University would put a bicycle lane through campus in order to get cyclists off Dunedin’s dangerous labyrinth of one-way streets have been shut down, due to “pedestrian safety concerns” and the University’s current cycle ban.

Speculation started after the death of cyclist Dr Li Hong “Chris” He, a 34-year-old lecturer at the Dentistry school, who was hit and killed by a stock truck outside Dunedin Hospital last November. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and DCC began a review of cycle safety in Dunedin following the incident, and it was thought that a cycle lane through campus would prevent similar accidents.

Members of the University had previously expressed their support for a campus cycle lane. Professor Hank Weiss told the Otago Daily Times he has “been an advocate of [the cycle lane] for several years.” According to Prof Weiss it would not be difficult to avoid clashes between cyclists and pedestrians.

OUSA President Francisco Hernandez told Critic that although he could understand the University’s concerns, “there’s probably a constructive middle ground to be found.

“I would be an advocate of path restructuring to ensure there was adequate room for both cyclists and pedestrians,” Hernandez said.

The cycling ban has been in place since 1986, and was introduced after an Anthropology professor, Peter Wilson, was struck by a cyclist outside the Archway lecture theatres.

Although the University’s stance is proving counter-productive, measures are still being taken to improve road safety for cyclists. Bicycle lanes throughout the central city are likely to be widened by NZTA, which is also looking to make more drastic improvements following consultations scheduled to occur in June this year.