Auckland sets cycleways record

Auckland’s cycleways were used more in March than ever before.

Electric bikes are contributing to the 50,000 more trips taken then.

A record breaking 430,000 rides were recorded in March, up 13.5% on the previous year, according to data collected by Auckland Transport, the New Zealand Herald reports.

March is often the busiest month of the year for bike riding as school, high school and university students are back and the weather is generally good, AT spokeswoman Joanna Glasswell says.

That paired with the opening of the Waterview Shared Path connecting the South Western Cycleway to the North Western Cycleway, and extending the Nelson Street Cycleway through the Fanshawe Street intersection in the past year is also likely to have contributed to the surge, she says.

“Connecting up the network gives people more safe places to ride and gives people the opportunity to travel further around the region. It also makes the existing shared paths and cycleways easier to use. We are starting to see this network effect in our cycle trip counts.”

AT is building or improving more cycleways, including the Ian McKinnon Drive cycleway, the Quay St cycleway extension, the Federal St walking and cycling facilities and the Seabrook Ave cycleway and intersection improvements project in New Lynn.

Bike Auckland chairwoman Barb Cuthbert says the latest figures are impressive.

It is now becoming a pattern as records are constantly being broken due to the massive uptake in cycling across Auckland, she says.

“What we know is 60% of Aucklanders want to ride a bike if it’s safe and Auckland Transport is building safe routes that take you from A to B. So what we see internationally is when you do this, people ride bikes.”

Electric bikes also make cycling more attractive to people.

A free Try A Bike Afternoon on April 21 is expected to bring riders and potential riders of e-bikes and conventional cycles to the Wakatere Boat Club, Narrow Neck Beach, Old Lake Road, Auckland, from 2pm-4pm.

A wide range of bikes – especially electrics – can be tested with retailers and wholesalers having their wares available. Instructors can answer cycling questions and provide tips too.

Visit facebook.com/events/342862702902866 for more details.