It's a no-brainer:
Liberate the Lane

​By making better use of just one lane of the bridge, we can improve our transport system and increase the number of people who can travel across. The overall capacity of the bridge increases and Auckland becomes a more accessible, more sustainable city.

How is that possible?
For the same amount of lane width, walking and cycling paths move far more people per hour than general traffic lanes.
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Changing how we use the bridge will make it possible to move more people, more quickly.

Moving more people with less space

The best way to speed up journeys for people caught in traffic is to make alternatives to the car more attractive.

This isn't just a theory: In a meta-analysis of more than 70 different locations where road space was reallocated, traffic decreased by an average of 10% and in some cases as much as 60%.

Opening up a lane of the harbour bridge to walking and cycling wouldn't just make Auckland a more inclusive city, it would also improve traffic flow for those who need to drive.

Lane capacity based on transport mode

By swapping out a lane on the bridge for walking and cycling, the capacity of the bridge to move people significantly increases. Adding dedicated bus lanes would increase this capacity even further.

 Image credit: NACTO

Why not try it out?

To prove the concept works, we're calling on Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency to trial a temporary reallocation of one lane of the bridge for 12 months.

This would be enough time to accurately assess the impacts before committing to any permanent facilities.

We've done it before

Auckland, 1974: In response to a fuel crisis, two lanes of Auckland Harbour Bridge are opened to people walking and cycling.

As we respond to rising fuel prices and a climate crisis, it's time to do it again.

The harbour bridge is regularly used for events like the Auckland Marathon and Bike the Bridge, without incident.

Walking, running, cycling, wheeling or scooting across the bridge
is easy, safe and fun for all people of all ages.

Make it safe and share the space

Save money, save time

Making the bridge safe and accessible will require the installation of a barrier between motor vehicle traffic and other bridge users, and the installation of anti-climb fencing to keep people safe. We'll also need access ramps to be constructed at the Northern and Southern ends of the bridge.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency estimates that this would cost less than $15 million: Less than a third of what the agency has spent [fruitlessly] trying to come up with a better solution!

Safety first

​With the installation of suitable barriers, the bridge will be safe for all users. Collisions between active transport users are comparatively rare, and are less harmful than crashes involving motor vehicles. The width, length and gradient of the harbour bridge is similar or safer than other paths on our active transport network, like the Grafton Gully cycle path or Te Hikoi Ararewa (Wainuiomata Hill Shared Path).

In fact, safety is likely to be improved with active modes access, as it would include the installation of long-needed anti-climb fencing to make the bridge safer for people in crisis.

Additionally, the health benefits of getting people to commute by bike will significantly outweigh any risk of crashes on the facility - meaning that opening the bridge to people walking and cycling won't just save money, it will save lives.

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