Bike Auckland (Bike AKL), formerly Cycle Action Auckland (CAA) is a pro-

cycling Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers". Apart from two ...

advocacy Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to influence public policy, laws and budgets by using fact ...

group in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about It ...

, New Zealand. The predominantly volunteer group aims to improve infrastructure and conditions, as well as perceptions of cycling to encourage more "everyday people" to use bicycles, including for commuting and recreation. Affiliated with

Cycling Action Network Cycling Action Network (CAN) is a national cycling advocacy group founded in November 1996 in Wellington, New Zealand. They lobby government, local authorities, businesses and the community on behalf of cyclists, for a better cycling environment ...

, the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for

cycling infrastructure Cycling infrastructure is all infrastructure cyclists are allowed to use. Bikeways include bike paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, rail trails and, where permitted, sidewalks. Roads used by motorists are also cycling infrastructure, except ...

and safety measures. The first chair (up until 2008) was Bevan Woodward. The chair from 2008 to 2021 was Barbara Cuthbert. The current chair as of November 2021 is Tony Mitchell.

Activities

Current campaigns and projects of CAA (as of 2010/2011) include working with

Auckland Council Auckland Council ( mi, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau) is the local government council for the Auckland Region in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority that has the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council and so is a ...

to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as

Tamaki Drive Tamaki Drive is the coastal road which follows the contours of the Waitematā Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand. The road links the suburbs Ōrākei, Mission Bay, and Kohimarama ending in Saint Heliers providing easy access to the local beaches. ...

(one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents), working with the NZ Transport Agency on improvements to the

Northwestern Cycleway The Northwestern Cycleway (sometimes also referred to as the North West or Northwestern Cycle Route) is a 12 km mostly off-road cycle route in New Zealand that connects the Auckland CBD with the suburb of Westgate. For most of its length, ...

and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the Waikaraka Cycleway sections around the new Manukau Harbour Bridge at Onehunga. In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince

North Shore City Council The North Shore is part of the large urban area of Auckland, New Zealand, located to the north of the Waitematā Harbour. To the east, has the Hauraki Gulf, to the west, is West Auckland, New Zealand, West Auckland, to the south, has the Wait ...

to retain the Lake Road cycle lanes after opponents had been campaigning for their removal, and had gotten over 2000 signatures against the lanes. An even larger counter-petition, as well as expert opinions on the efficacy of the lanes, were eventually successful in retaining them, and having cycling improvements included during further Lake Road upgrades. During 2010–2011, Cycle Action submitted in the Board of Inquiry approvals process for the Waterview Connection motorway project as a submitter and participated in transport and open space discussions with expert witnesses. The Board praised Cycle Action's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work. The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a

cycleway Cycling infrastructure is all infrastructure cyclists are allowed to use. Bikeways include bike paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, rail trails and, where permitted, sidewalks. Roads used by motorists are also cycling infrastructure, except w ...

as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction. Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the

Auckland Harbour Bridge The Auckland Harbour Bridge is an eight-lane motorway bridge over the Waitematā Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. It joins St Marys Bay on the Auckland city side with Northcote on the North Shore side. It is part of State Highway 1 and th ...

, achieving a connection between the North Shore and the

Auckland CBD The Auckland Central Business District (CBD), or Auckland city centre, is the geographical and economic heart of the Auckland metropolitan area. It is the area in which Auckland was established in 1840, by William Hobson. It is New Zealand's le ...

, which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries. While there are close links, th
GetAcross
campaign is distinct from CAA. One of Bike Auckland's biggest recent successes was advocating for the conversion of the old Nelson Street motorway off-ramp to a new walk and cycleway, which was opened in late 2015.

Meetings and events

The group conducts monthly meetings, and supports a number of affiliated events and groups, such as with Frocks on Bikes, Campaign for Better Transport and other sustainability initiatives. It also organises pro-cycling rallies such as the 'Bikes for Life' event and cycling culture events such as the 'Cycle Style Gala'. In 2011, Cycle Action Auckland helped organise, together with

Auckland Transport Auckland Transport (AT) is the council-controlled organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council responsible for transport projects and services. It was established by section 38 of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, and operates under ...

and NZ Transport Agency, the TelstraClear Challenge cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the

and on the Northern Busway. The event took place 11 December.

Cycle mapping

Together with ARTA, Cycle Action produced a comprehensive set of cycling maps for the Auckland Region in the late 2000s. They also cooperated with the Fullers ferry company to produce a similar map for Waiheke Island.

Awards

The group won a Cycle Friendly Award in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.

References

{{Reflist

External links