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Bike Auckland
AbbreviationBikeAKL
Formation1998
TypeNGO
Legal statusIncorporated Society & Registered Charity
PurposeAdvocacy
HeadquartersNew Zealand Auckland, New Zealand
Region served
Auckland
Membership
Private persons
Official language
English
Chair
Karen Hormann
Chief Biking Officer
Fiáin d'Leafy
Websitehttps://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/
Former Bike Auckland chair Barbara Cuthbert at the opening of the Quay Street Cycleway in 2016.

Bike Auckland (Bike AKL), formerly Cycle Action Auckland (CAA) is a pro-cycling advocacy group in Auckland, New Zealand. The predominantly volunteer group aims to improve infrastructure and conditions, as well as perceptions of cycling to encourage more "everyday people" to use bicycles, including for commuting and recreation.[1]

Affiliated with Cycling Action Network, the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for cycling infrastructure and safety measures.[2]

The first chair (up until 2008) was Bevan Woodward.[3] The chair from 2008 to 2021 was Barbara Cuthbert.[4] The chair from 2021 to 2023 was Tony Mitchell.[5] The current chair as of September 2024 is Karen Hormann.[6]

Activities

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Campaigns and projects of Bike Auckland include working with Auckland Council to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as Tamaki Drive (one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents),[2][7][8] working with the NZ Transport Agency on improvements to the Northwestern Cycleway[9][10] and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the Waikaraka Cycleway sections around the new Manukau Harbour Bridge at Onehunga.[11]

In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince North Shore City Council to retain the Lake Road cycle lanes after opponents had been campaigning for their removal, and had gotten over 2000 signatures against the lanes. An even larger counter-petition, as well as expert opinions on the efficacy of the lanes, were eventually successful in retaining them, and having cycling improvements included during further Lake Road upgrades.[12][13]

During 2010–2011, Bike Auckland (then Cycle Action Auckland) submitted in the Board of Inquiry approvals process for the Waterview Connection motorway project as a submitter and participated in transport and open space discussions with expert witnesses. The Board praised Bike Auckland's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work.[14] The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a cycleway as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction.[15]

Between 2012 and 2015, Bike Auckland advocated for the conversion of the old Nelson Street motorway off-ramp to a new walk and cycleway, which was opened in late 2015.[16]

Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge, achieving a connection between the North Shore and the Auckland CBD, which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries.[17] While there are close links, the GetAcross campaign is distinct from Bike Auckland.

Meetings and events

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The group conducts regular meetings with Auckland Transport to discuss cycling infrastructure, and supports a number of affiliated events and groups, such as with Frocks on Bikes,[18] Campaign for Better Transport and other sustainability initiatives. It also organises pro-cycling rallies such as the 'Bikes for Life' event and cycling culture events such as Biketober.[18]

In 2011, Cycle Action Auckland helped organise, together with Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency, the TelstraClear Challenge cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and on the Northern Busway.[19] The event took place 11 December.[20]

On the 2024 edition of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, 17 November 2024, Bike Auckland created the Ghost Bike Art Installation in a central Auckland square. 59 ghost bikes represented lives lost on New Zealand roads in the previous five years.[21]

Cycle mapping

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Together with ARTA, Cycle Action produced a comprehensive set of cycling maps for the Auckland Region in the late 2000s.[22] They also cooperated with the Fullers ferry company to produce a similar map for Waiheke Island.[23]

Awards

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The group won a Cycle Friendly Award in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Building a cycle culture for the Supercity" (PDF). Minutes of the Auckland Council Transport Committee. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Barbara Cuthbert: Safe cycling and driving messages require review". The New Zealand Herald. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  3. ^ Shepheard, Nicola (24 February 2008). "Nicola Shepheard: Two-wheel zeal". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  4. ^ "CAA Committee". CAA Website. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  5. ^ "We are delighted to announce our new Chair and Chief Biking Officer". 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  6. ^ Auckland, Bike (29 July 2021). "Introducing: Karen Hormann!". Bike Auckland. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  7. ^ Tiffen, Rachel (26 October 2009). "Team to tackle safety issues on Tamaki Drive". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  8. ^ Dearnaley, Mathew (29 December 2009). "Cyclists welcome hazard sign to alert motorists". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  9. ^ NZTA closing the gap (NZ Transport Agency press release, Auckland Regional Office, 4 November 2009. Accessed 8 November 2009.)
  10. ^ Horrell, Rhiannon (25 November 2009). "Cycleway work begins". Auckland City Harbour News. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  11. ^ "Manukau Harbour Crossing – Safe Crossings Ahead" (PDF). NZTA Project Newsletter. April 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  12. ^ Thompson, Wayne (10 February 2010). "Shore cycle lane petition grows as council decision looms". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  13. ^ Thompson, Wayne (10 March 2010). "Cycleways survive despite road-widening plans". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  14. ^ "Draft Report and Decision of the Board of Inquiry into the New Zealand Transport Agency Waterview Connection Proposal – Volume 1" (PDF). Board of Inquiry. Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand. May 2011. p. 71. Retrieved 5 June 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ Dearnaley, Mathew (9 May 2011). "Objectors get their way on towers". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  16. ^ Fagan, Josh (2 December 2015). "Cycleway man: Plotting Auckland's Nelson St cycleway". Fairfax Media. Auckland Now. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  17. ^ Dearnaley, Mathew (21 February 2008). "Politicians support study into cutting bridge-lane width". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  18. ^ a b Smith, Catherine (30 June 2010). "Cyclewear: Get into the right gear". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Bridge Bike Ride A Celebration Of Cycle Culture In The Super City". Voxy Newswire. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  20. ^ Thompson, Wayne (12 December 2011). "Riders hang tough on breezy bridge". NZ Herald. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  21. ^ Cardwell, Sue (17 November 2024). "Ghost bikes in central Auckland remind Government to slow down". Bike Auckland. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Cyclists have it all mapped out". Central Leader. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  23. ^ Warner, Kirsten (19 December 2010). "Waiheke: Slow down to sight-see". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
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