Safety concerns are mounting over Nelson’s St Vincent St cycleway, with it being dubbed the “corridor of death” and “the gauntlet” by some in the community as frustration builds over its design.
The bi-directional separated cycleway was constructed in 2014, and while intended to improve cycling safety, it has been criticised by nearby businesses and some cyclists, who say it creates risky conditions for both riders and motorists.
A key concern is limited visibility for turning traffic, caused by a line of parallel parking alongside the cycleway. Inconsistent give way rules at intersections, along with the number of busy accessways to and from properties, have also been highlighted.
Phil Eagle, service manager for The Car Company Automotive Ltd at 127 St Vincent St, describes it as an “absolute disaster of a design”.
“Near misses constantly throughout the day, council have really messed this design up. It’s not only the cycle lane, there are near misses with cars pulling out into traffic as well,” he says.
“Someone will probably have to be killed or seriously hurt before anything is done about it.”
One local cyclist, who does not want to be named, was knocked off his bike by a car last month while riding on the cycleway, and says it was not the first time it had happened to him.
“We’ve got awesome cycle networks in Nelson… but this just doesn’t work. Cyclists need to be seen,” he says.
He says he has had two incidents at speed but has so far walked away unscathed. The most recent crash occurred when he did not see a car, and the driver did not see him as the vehicle exited a business.
“It was nobody’s fault.”
Moments later, he witnessed another near-collision involving a car pulling out of a property.
“This cycleway needs to change before someone is killed,” he says. “I’ve got no choice but to use it as there isn’t enough room on the road.”
He is so keen to see change that he has even come up with his own alternative design.
“Keep the lanes on the road so the cars and cyclists can see each other, you don’t need to take away the carparks.”
Another cyclist, who also asked not to be named, says she ended up in an ambulance in December last year after being knocked off her bike by a vehicle entering a business.
She says she will not use the cycleway again.
“I've been abused by cars, saying ‘ride on the cycle path’. I’d rather the abuse than another accident. [I was] lucky last time with no broken bones, but not risking it again.”
A St Vincent St business owner, who also requested anonymity, says they have contacted the council to express concern about the design.
They say the two-way cycle system “trips people up” and that near misses are a daily occurrence.
“It’s a miracle no one has been seriously hurt.”
They would like to see improved signage or an education campaign, particularly to highlight that the cycle path operates in both directions.
According to Nelson City Council, 12 accidents involving cyclists have been recorded on this section of road since 2014. To date, they have received 17 complaints about the cycleway and safety, with the most common including cars blocking the view of driver turning into driveways and the speed of cyclists.
Manager asset planning at Nelson City Council, David Light, says that council’s goal when constructing cycleways is “to increase transport choice for our community by installing facilities that make it easier for people to consider different ways of getting from A to B”.
He says the design of the St Vincent St cycleway was based on a similar facility in Auckland and considered to be the “best option at the time”.
In 2022, council commissioned a new safety review of the cycleway, and the recommendations were to improve the Toi Toi St roundabout with raised crossings – a project undertaken in 2024.
The report also mentioned making improvements to sight lines, which council is currently investigating, and the accidents that have occurred are also being taken into consideration as part of their investigation.
Despite the concerns now being raised, the cycleway received national recognition when it opened. It won the Cycle Advocates Network award for best cycle facility project at the national 2WALKandCYCLE 2014 conference. However, none of the award judges had driven along the road or used the cycleway.
