One person arrested after protesters storm police barricade on Auckland Harbour Bridge

Sunday, 30 May 2021

Cycling protesters push past police barrier to ride on harbour bridge. (First published May 2021)

One person has been arrested after protesters breached a barricade on Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Two lanes on the bridge were temporarily closed during a protest to “liberate” the bridge for cyclists.

Around 1000 cyclists rode to the bridge on Sunday morning, calling for a three-month cycle lane trial on the bridge.

Cyclists breach the police barricade and make their way onto the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Cyclists were met at the bridge by police officers, and managed to break a police barricade to get access onto the bridge.

A police spokesperson said they were “disappointed” by the actions of those who breached the cordon and one person had been arrested for initially breaching the cordon.

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Cyclists had signs stating “liberate the lane”.

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No injures were reported.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said two northbound lanes on SH1 over the bridge were closed and the Curran St on-ramp – shortly after midday the lanes reopened.

Delays were caused by the disruption, with motorists asked to postpone travel or use an alternative route, a Waka Kotahi NZTA spokeswoman said.

“Please take extra care, reduce your speed and follow directions of police, traffic management staff and signage,” the spokeswoman said.

Although lanes had reopened shortly after 1pm, delays and congestion remained on the bridge, back to Gillies Ave.

Police said they were “facilitating” the safe passage of a large group of cyclists and pedestrians crossing the bridge following a rally at Point Erin Park.

Cyclists faced off with police at the barricade.

”Public safety is our absolute priority and police are facilitating the group to ensure the safety of rally attendees, and the staff monitoring the event,” a police spokesperson said.

Cyclists managed to push their way through onto the bridge.

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

The rally was organised by Bike Auckland.

Cyclists could be seen pushing through police.

It was estimated around 1,000 people attended the rally on Sunday.

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 had been mounting.

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.”

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.”

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.”