Auckland Harbour Bridge should open to bikes over summer, cyclists say

Thursday, 6 May 2021

The cross-harbour cycle and walkway and 3.4km connecting network will be called Northern Pathway. (First published in August 2020)

One lane of the Auckland Harbour Bridge should be set aside for cyclists to use over summer, a cycling lobby group says.

North Shore cyclists have long wished for a way to nip over the bridge and beat the traffic to central Auckland.

Bike Auckland chairwoman Barb Cuthbert has described it as “the most important cycling issue in Auckland”.

But with construction yet to begin on the Northern Pathway, linking Westhaven to Northcote Point and eventually Albany as promised by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, frustrations among cyclists are mounting.

Bike Auckland is calling for a trial to let cyclists use a lane of the Auckland Harbour Bridge for three months over summer. (File photo)

* Auckland Harbour Bridge: 78 per cent in favour of new Northern Pathway design

Construction for the Northern Pathway – formerly called SkyPath – is expected to begin this year.

Cuthbert said ferries are struggling to cope with the number of people wanting to cross the Waitematā Harbour with their bicycles and e-scooters, highlighting an urgent need for a crossing.

“Waka Kotahi [has] the money to build something, but [doesn’t] seem to be able to announce to the public what [it] will build.”

Bike Auckland is planning a rally near the bridge on May 30, calling for a lane to be reallocated to cyclists as a three-month trial over summer, when traffic is at its quietest.

An artist's impression of Waka Kotahi NZTA's proposed Auckland Harbour Bridge shared cycleway and walkway.

The trial would be within the spirit of Waka Kotahi’s Innovating Streets for People programme, which includes the aim of creating more space for people, Cuthbert said.

“We need this trial. We just can’t stall.”

The group made contact with Waka Kotahi regarding the issue in February, however Cuthbert said it was unwilling to collaborate.

“When you don’t react or engage, which is what Waka Kotahi is doing, it’s quite natural for public frustration to develop. I think that’s what we’re at now.”

Asked about the implications the trial might have on traffic, Cuthbert said that won’t be known until it goes ahead.

A study by the Institution of Civil Engineers, which considered 70 case studies from 11 countries, found people’s predictions of what would happen if cyclists and pedestrians were given more space on the road were usually “unnecessarily alarmist”.

“Given appropriate local circumstances, significant reductions in overall traffic levels can occur, with people making a far wider range of behavioural responses than has traditionally been assumed.”

Waka Kotahi director of regional relationships for Auckland and Northland Steve Mutton said the organisation is aware of Bike Auckland’s rally plans.

However, investigations have found closing a lane of the bridge for cyclists is not a viable option, he said.

He added that such a trial would require two lanes to be closed to traffic as a new traffic barrier would be needed to safely separate pedestrians and cyclists from moving vehicles.

“This would significantly reduce the capacity of the bridge for all forms of cross-harbour traffic, including freight and public transport, creating a significant impact on Auckland’s transport system.”

Regarding Bike Auckland’s rally, Mutton said plans are in place to address any issues on the transport network and ensure the safety of all road users.

Cuthbert said the rally would not go over the bridge, but said people had done so at a previous event in 2009.

Auckland police road policing manager inspector John Thornley said any pedestrian or cycling access over the Harbour Bridge requires approval from Waka Kotahi.

“Such activities pose serious safety risks to both themselves and other motorists.”

Police will monitor the situation ahead of the rally and continue engagement with Bike Auckland and Waka Kotahi, he said.