Pedestrians want their walkway and to cycle it too

A march for a cycle lane and walkway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge this month will allow the public to cross the bridge for the first time in 50 years.

March co-ordinator Bevan Woodward will meet Waitemata road police manager Superintendent John Kelly today to discuss the approach from the New Zealand Transport Agency, which opposes the march.

“When the hikoi went across a few years ago the police had final say over this matter. The police will see what they can do and we will see what we can do to encourage them to let us go through.

“I was blown away that they [the police] said this is how we’re going to get you over the bridge.”

Woodward says it is time for this sort of access.

“They want everyone to go from the Shelly Beach off-ramp. Police cars will stop the traffic. There will be two lanes open to marchers on the day,” he says.

“We wrote to the transport agency and said we want to do this and we want your support.”

Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) acknowledges poor facilities for walking and cycling in Auckland’s transport plan. A sum of $665 million has been allocated to services relating to cycling and walking between 2006 and 2012.

ARTA supports the principle of walking and cycling over the bridge yet the project to create a cycle lane has not been submitted for funding.

Bike Central shop owner Paul Sumich thinks Auckland city would better compare with cities around the world if cyclists and pedestrians had improved access on the roads.

“It’s quite old fashioned and archaic to think that you shouldn’t have a cycle lane for commuters.

“Almost every tourist asks us if you can get across the bridge. In other cities like San Francisco and Sydney, and at least four in New York City, there is access on bridges.

“It’s not just lip service. It would definitely improve our image as a clean green country and city.”

Bicycle technician Brad Beddek travels to work from the North Shore suburb of Albany. He cycles through Glenfield past Takapuna and to Bayswater where he catches the ferry to downtown Auckland.

“A cycle lane would reduce my commute by half – in time and distance,” he says.