Media Release - Monday, May 24th 2021
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Rally to Liberate The Lane
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People from across Auckland will gather on bikes this Sunday, calling
for a 3-month cycle lane trial on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Bike
Auckland’s ‘Liberate The Lane’ rally reflects the surge in citizen cycling,
fuelled by e-bike popularity, which is causing spectacular uptake in
biking for transport.
The rally at Pt Erin Park overlooking the Bridge at 10am on Sunday 30
May will show the diversity of age groups and faces that are ‘calling
time’ on delays on building a walking and cycling pathway on the
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Bridge. They will ride from South, West and East Auckland, the North
Shore and across the Auckland isthmus.
‘We’re overwhelmed by public frustration about Waka Kotahi’s failure
to complete its project for a path on the Bridge’ reports Barb Cuthbert,
Chair of Bike Auckland. ‘It’s 3 years since the Government announced
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it would deliver the Skypath project. Waka Kotahi’s stunning images
launched in May 2019 for Skypath Mk II won wide public acclaim. Two
years later we find the design has sunk without trace, and Waka Kotahi
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is back at the drawing board with its renamed project, the Northern
Pathway’
‘Reducing Climate Change emissions is top of the Government’s and
Council’s agenda. Our call for a summer cycle lane trial on the Bridge
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is designed to cause minimum public disruption and respond to the
reducing daily numbers of cars crossing the Bridge, noted by the AA.
Comparing 2018 with 2021 traffic data shows there are 10,000 to 20,000
fewer cars a day.’
‘Our proposal reflects Waka Kotahi’s new thinking to promote trials to
help us try different travel modes. Auckland can’t be expected to wait
another 5 years, while Waka Kotahi has another go at delivering on its
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promise.’

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‘The Northern Pathway is more than a bridge over the harbour. It’s a
safe and efficient cycling spine down the North Shore, connecting
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Albany to the Harbour Bridge and Auckland City.’
‘The spectacular success of the Northern Express Busway proves
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Aucklanders will opt for non-car travel if they have a good alternative’
says Barb. ’The North Western Cycleway has people on e-bikes riding
25km from Westgate to the city. Before Covid led to more working from
home, counters on the NW Cycleway recorded 323,000 biking trips,
with 10% growth monthly increases. Once people are able to ride on
e-bikes from Albany to the City the floodgates will be open for similar
numbers of people to commute by bike across the Bridge.’
‘Bike Auckland has spent decades working with Waka Kotahi to plan a
strong cycling network across Auckland, and the Harbour Bridge is the
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crucial missing link. Shifting from cars to more efficient forms of transport
is a national priority, yet Skypath has stalled. Ferries can’t be expected
to keep coping with the increase in bikes and e-scooters turning up to
cross the harbour.’ warns Barb Cuthbert. ‘Auckland deserves a smart
initiative for action now.‘
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Media Release Contact:
the 
Barb Cuthbert, Chair Bike Auckland
Email – [email address]    Phone – 0274125824
under 
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