Rally ride over Auckland Harbour Bridge

Electric bikers can join a “rally ride” on May 30 across the Auckland Harbour Bridge to support demand for a cycle path over it.

With the proposed SkyPath shared pathway across the bridge stalled, electric bike enthusiasts and retailers such as the Electric Bike Team (EBT) are supporting the call to “liberate the lane”.

The rally starts at 10am from the bridge’s southern end near Point Erin Park, although the EBT aims to meet at its 29 East Street premises at 9am to ride to the start – suggesting that if riders have a friend who needs to borrow an e-bike to contact the team.

Rally organiser Bike Auckland is proposing a three-month trial reallocation of one harbour bridge lane for cycling during summer.

“We are working with Fullers and AT (Auckland Transport) to help accommodate growing demand to carry bikes on ferries from destinations across the (North) Shore, but it’s clear more capacity is needed,” Bike Auckland says.

“While the Skypath project is stalled, it could be five plus years before a replacement project is completed. In the interim, new options need to be investigated.”

Bike Auckland has also released a list of frequently asked questions about using the bridge for cycling.

Transport minister Michael Wood appears reluctant to add cycleways to the Auckland Harbour Bridge, responding to a question on that at the recent eworld conference by saying other options (including a possible second harbour crossing) are being considered.

Meanwhile, it’s uncertain at this stage whether riders will be able to return across the bridge on May 30, so suggestions include using the ferries or making a day of it and riding the long way back via the Upper Harbour Highway and State Highway 16 cycleways.