Young Jonathan: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeYoung Jonathan: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 12 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1548. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth)to the Minister of Transport: What is the Government doing to support the development of urban cycleways across New Zealand?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport):A lot. We are investing $100 million across 4 years in the Urban Cycleways Programme—the biggest investment any Government has ever made in urban cycleways. The programme leverages a range of funding sources meaning that high-quality projects are getting under way much sooner than would otherwise have been the case. When completed the Urban Cycleways Programme will have supported the investment of up to $320 million to create a safe user-friendly cycleway network across New Zealand’s urban centres.Julie Anne Genter: I seek leave to table advice that was provided to the Minister by his officials that they should be investing $260 million into urban cycleways—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The document has been described. The source of the document please.Julie Anne Genter: It is from the New Zealand Transport Agency. It was released under the Official Information Act to the Green Party.Mr SPEAKER: So it is not publicly available on a website?Julie Anne Genter: No.Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular document. Is there is any objection? It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Jonathan Young: What recent announcements has he made on the Government’s investment in urban cycleways?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I was excited to announce recently that the Urban Cycleways Programme will see $37 million worth of projects get under way in Auckland Hamilton Palmerston North Wellington Christchurch and Dunedin. The first 13 cycleway projects across these centres were prioritised because of their value to commuter cyclists and their additional benefits to recreational riders. With the first set of projects under way this year the Government is getting started on changing the face of cycling in New Zealand.Denis O’Rourke: When will the Minister give some genuine priority to replacing the hundreds of dangerous one-way bridges on State highways throughout provincial New Zealand?Mr SPEAKER: That is some distance from the original question but it is Thursday afternoon and I will be generous. I will allow the Minister to answer it.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: It is always a pleasure to get a question from the member. Unlike the Labour Party and the Green Party—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Just answer the question.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I can tell the member that with a Government policy statement investing more money in transport and land traffic than ever before we will certainly be making improvements over the next 3 years in that area.Jonathan Young: What are the benefits of the Government’s investment in urban cycleways?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: They are manifold and that is why this Government is committed to investing $100 million to accelerate the development of urban cycleways across the country. The Government recognises that commuting by bike has health benefits and it takes pressure off other transport networks. Many people also consider safety concerns so we are building cycleways to a standard that is safe and provides real incentives for commuters to get out of their cars and on to their bikes.