E-bike commute could be zippy: trail advocate

Cycling on an electric bike from Mosgiel to Dunedin could be almost as quick as driving if an off-road trail is approved, a trail advocate says.

Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairman Gerard Hyland said the e-bike commute could take 20-25 minutes.

The 15km drive between the two centres is estimated by Google to take 16 minutes, but Mr Hyland said the difference might be slight during peak morning traffic.

The proposed trail would also have benefits for up to 4000 school children in the area, facilitating learning of cycling skills, active transport and physical and mental wellbeing, he said.

A campaign to develop the trail, featuring two disused railway tunnels, has attracted resounding support in the Dunedin City Council’s annual plan consultation process.

Cycle World Dunedin shop owner Ray Dunstan told a hearing yesterday e-bikes had enabled more people to access health benefits from lifestyle changes.

Providing a safe route would improve uptake of cycling further, he said.

"We keep getting told cycling is the new golf," Mr Dunstan said.

"We just need to improve the golf course."

It is hoped the trail might one day link up with an off-road route that, when completed, is to run between Queenstown and Waihola.

Some discussion has occurred about developing an off-road route from Waihola to Mosgiel.

Mr Hyland said he understood not a lot of work had been done on the concept yet, but it was suggested a trail could run on top of stopbanks or through farms.

--  Grant Miller