Welcome to Auckland's campaign to walk and ride across our Harbour Bridge!

We've been fighting for walking and cycling access since 2004.  We're calling on Minister of Transport, Hon Michael Wood to support a trial liberating a traffic lane for walking & cycling.

Auckland is the only major city in the world that doesn't allow people to walk or ride over its Harbour Bridge.

The reason for this is the NZ Transport Agency.  For years they blocked progress, then reluctantly got onboard but in recent years have really screwed it up!  In May 2019, NZTA rejected the consented and funded $68M SkyPath design (which they helped design) and assured Aucklanders with "certainty" they would deliver the 'Northern Pathway'.

Serious design issues, consenting challenges and escalating costs (latest estimates are around $700million) means the Northern Pathway may never be built.

The good news is that there is an elegant solution that will get us all home faster…  liberate the western-most lane of the Bridge to enable Aucklanders to get out of their cars and walk, scooter, cycle, etc. The resulting reduction in vehicles means traffic flows will improve across the network.  

However NZTA don’t want a bar of it and refuse to do a short trial.  Their culture is to solve traffic problems through large infrastructure projects.  They want to keep traffic levels up to maintain their funding which comes from the consumption of fossil fuels.

​On May 30 2021, the 62nd anniversary of the Bridge opening, we showed both NZTA and the Minister of Transport, Michael Wood that Aucklanders want to trial liberating a lane - so that we can all get across whether we drive or not. The Bike Auckland 'Liberate a Lane' rally at Pt Erin, followed by a peaceful, joyous procession across the bridge, was a great day for cyclists and for Auckland. Though predictably, NZTA/Waka Kotahi managed things poorly by firstly refusing to sanction people crossing the bridge, and then closed the bridge to traffic without giving proper notice. 
Participants in the spontaneous people powered crossing - weren't criminals, just everyday Aucklanders who have never forgotten the fun and convenience of riding a bike or getting about by foot. You can see the happy crowds here: Walking & cycling on the Auckland Harbour Bridge 2021 - YouTube
 
Though we won the May 30 battle, we haven't won the war, so please sign the petition, and we will see you at the next rally!

Only a strong voice will make a difference.   
Andy, Christine & Bevan of the Movement team.