Pito-One to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua now open!

On Monday we celebrated the blessing and opening of New Zealand's newest cycleway – the Pito-One to Melling section of Te Ara Tupua.

This new path provides a safe and separated cycling route that will eventually join with the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of Te Ara Tupua, creating a seamless separated path from Wellington to Lower Hutt. 

It will also later connect with walking and cycling paths being built as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi.

This would not have been possible without the support and expertise of the Waka Kotahi and Fulton Hogan project teams, contribution from Hutt City Council and input from WSP, KiwiRail, our iwi partners Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngati Toa Rangatira and the cycling community.

Although the project has endured some challenges throughout construction, we know what has been delivered is a fantastic asset for the community.

We hope you enjoy using the new path and being able to get around the Hutt Valley more easily and safely.

Minor finishing works

Over the next couple weeks, there will be some ongoing minor finishing works happening along the Pito-One to Melling cycleway.

Cyclists will still have access in both direction during this period however, please take care as traffic management will be set up to ensure this work can happen safely.

Remember from time to time there may be maintenance vehicles on the path, keeping the path swept and tidy. Please keep left and be courteous of other users.

Community event to celebrate the opening

To celebrate the opening of the Pito-One to Melling cycleway, we’re hosting a community event at Honiana Te Puni Reserve this Saturday (21 October) from 10am-12pm.

This will give you a chance to ride the new cycleway as well as find out a bit more about the wider Te Ara Tupua project.

Greater Wellington, with support from Switched on Bikes, will have e-bikes for you to check out the cycleway. There'll also be an opportunity for you to get your bikes checked by the local My Ride Hutt Valley team. 

Whether you ride to or from the event, we're looking forward to seeing you.

Sharing is caring

It’s important to remember that the bulk of Pito-One to Melling (3km of 3.5km) is a cycleway, with the remainder being shared pathway connections at each end.

Whether you use all or some of the route, take this opportunity to get familiar how it links with existing and future routes, and how several of the transitions between areas work: www.nzta.govt.nz/pito-one-to-melling/how-to-use-pito-one-to-melling

Tips to help you enjoy the shared pathway connections

If you’re on your bike,

- let people on foot know you’re approaching with a friendly bell or politely call out which side you’re going to pass them on

- maintain a safe speed that doesn’t put others at risk

- keep left unless you’re passing others, and pass on the right

- give way to people on foot.

If you’re walking,

- keep left of the path and leave space for people cycling (we recommend looking both ways before crossing or changing directions)

- if you’re walking in a group don’t take up the entire path—leave space for people to pass you

- listen out for people on a bike ringing their bell—you may not hear them if you’re using noise cancelling headphones.

Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/pito-one-to-melling to learn more about this and the Te Ara Tupua project.

More information

For more information on the Petone to Melling section of the Te Ara Tupua project, contact us at P2M@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/petone2melling