The number of people cycling in the Auckland region has dramatically increased by 27% compared to last year, according to a survey for the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA).
Over 12,000 cyclist movements were recorded at 84 sites across the region for the Cycle Monitoring Programme, which is a one day snapshot of cycling in the region taken during the second week of March each year. The sites were monitored at peak times from 6:30am to 9:00am and then again from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
ARTA’s General Manager of Strategy and Planning,
“One of the most significant rises in cycling numbers we’ve seen since the start of the programme in 2007 was on the North Western Cycleway with an increase of 70%. Over 600 cyclists were counted on the cycleway during the monitoring times this year. The recently opened $3m Kingsland section of the North Western Cycleway is sure to boost cycle numbers even further as this now provides an almost continuous 12km ride from Te Atatu to the Central Business District.
“The busiest site was at the intersection of Tamaki Drive and The Strand with more than 900 cyclists counted during the monitoring period.
“People’s perception of cycling around Auckland has started to change which may have also led to the rise in numbers. According to an Auckland Regional Council survey, there has been an 11% increase in the number of people who feel cycling is a safe way of travelling in the region.
“There were also a number of initiatives run this year which have encouraged more cycling. These included the successful Bike Wise Month in February which saw increased numbers participating in the 30 events region wide and the Auckland trial of the Bike Wise to Work event to encourage new cyclists attracted over 330 cyclists.
“The monitoring programme also counted the number of bikes at the intermediate, secondary and composite schools across the region as another means of measurement. The most popular school to cycle to in the region, with one in three students (33%) cycling to school each day, was Belmont Intermediate on the North Shore. Overall, an average of 2% of the regional school population surveyed cycle to school which is around 2000 cyclists.
“With around $40m planned to be spent on walking and cycling infrastructure in the Auckland region between 2009 to 2012, we anticipate seeing these figures climb further. Cycling is good for the environment, great for fitness and, for many shorter journeys, it is very often faster to get there by bike than by car. This is good for the economy as it reduces congestion, freeing up the roads for commercial purposes, which will help future economic growth and the prosperity of the region.” says Mr Clark.
