Cycling rise includes e-bikes

Cycling is an increasingly popular way of getting around Auckland – and that includes electric bikes.

About 38% of Aucklanders are riding bikes in 2018, Auckland Transport’s latest Active Modes Research shows.

That’s up three percentage points on last year, with 518,000 Aucklanders now riding regularly or occasionally.

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are included for the first time in the research, which shows 3% of Aucklanders own an e-bike.

And 33% of all Aucklanders that don’t already own an e-bike are considering buying one in the next year.

No specific data is available on the rise in e-bike use but, anecdotally, Auckland Transport (AT) says it is seeing more e-bikes on its cycleways.

E-bikes give Aucklanders more choice and help remove some of the barriers to cycling – such as hills, AT says.

“About 52,000 people started bike riding this year, compared to 46,500 last year,” AT walking, cycling and road safety manager Kathryn King says.

“We are seeing a lot of growth in areas where people have access to safe cycling infrastructure, especially around central and west Auckland.

“We are really pleased to see that the investment in infrastructure is translating into more people riding bikes, with half a million Aucklanders taking to two wheels.”

More people are riding bikes to and from work, with 19% of Auckland bike riders regularly commuting. Many other key trips are also being made by bike. During these trips, 69% of people are stopping at local shops and cafes en route to their destination.

“The numbers are showing us that travelling by bike is becoming an increasingly important way for people to get around Auckland,” King says.

“People are going about their daily lives on bikes, travelling to work, school, and supporting local businesses. And whether you choose to ride a bike or not, 65% of Aucklanders believe cycle lanes are good for the community.”

The cycling increase may be part of the reason Aucklanders are using their cars less, with 66% taking their cars once a week or more, down three points on 2017.

Auckland Council planning committee chairman Chris Darby says cycling investment is increasing.

“Over the next decade, we’ll invest around $900 million into cycling infrastructure, so that even more people are able to travel by bike.”

Walking remains stable, with a million Aucklanders walking for 10 minutes at least twice a week or more.

“About 35% of people walking are going to public transport, and 48% walk short journeys to local shops,” King says.

Visit at.govt.nz/cyclingreports

for the research.