Abstract
Our survey of 1000+ New Zealanders found that more people support increasing investment in urban cycleways than oppose it (41% vs 35%), but that 24% were “neutral”. Results indicate significantly higher support amongst younger people, Māori, and those in the highest income bracket.
Support was politically polarised, with significantly higher support from NZ First and centre-left voters (Labour, Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party). Advocates for cycleways may need to do more to inform the public of their benefits: (1) safety and population health (physical and mental); (2) improved access to low-cost mobility; (3) reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution (air and noise pollution); and (4) favourable economic benefits on cost-benefit analyses. But there is also a need to ensure that any new cycleways have extensive public consultation, good design and involve sharing the benefits of change broadly.