It's Annual Plan season and I did my second ever presentation to Council – specifically on their plan to stall the rapid rollout of bike lanes across the city.
I feel for every single Councillor here. They do incredibly hard mahi – this session went on for nine hours and they've got two more sessions just like it.
Advocating for bike lanes can feel like a lonely endeavour. That's probably because I'm on the internet way too much, and corporate online spaces are polluted with drivel.
But when you get into the real world, you realise that the lanes are beloved by many, many Wellingtonians.
By happenstance, two more people were presenting near my slot for bike lanes. The fantastic Trish Given and Patrick Morgan presented in favour. VicLabour presented (to a Labour Mayor, I might add) opposing the bike lane cuts. I used to be part of VicLabour, and I was pleased to see that happen.
Like with next to everything, people find change weird then accept it. It becomes the norm.
Bike lanes are becoming that way: more people are riding in Wellington than I've ever seen in my 13 years here. It's worth working to keep them safe.
