Cycle lane proposal for Auckland Harbour Bridge

[rainman]

Transit New Zealand is considering a proposal for a cycle lane and walkway on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

A cycling lobby group has suggested narrowing the outer 'clip-on' lanes to accommodate cyclists and walkers. Cycle Action Auckland claims it would cost less than $5 million to create the space.

The group says research it commissioned showed more than 5,000 people a day would use the cycle lanes and walkways, not only for commuting, but for leisure and recreation.

The idea will be discussed at a Transit New Zealand executive meeting on Tuesday, although a spokesperson says it is still too early to know how feasible the plan is.

At the moment cyclists have to take their bikes on the ferry if they want to cross the harbour.

What a stupid idea. Lemme guess, if pushbikes and pedestrians are to use this proposed "space" there would need to be some form of barrier between the "space" and the bit where the trucks go hurtling past at 110km/h. I imagine this would consume the best part of a whole lane - can't see how they could fit a same pedestrian and bicycle zone on the clip-ons and still keep two lanes in each direction. So the bridge would become even more of a huge choke point in the motorway system.

Unless I'm missing something, this seems to be a seriously idiotic proposal.

[lanci]

Why don't they add another service type bicycle/walk lane underneath the main road area???

[skidMark]

Just have a path leading up to each side of the bridge..... then you jump on a bus that is set up to accomidate bicycles. get the bus over and then hop off at the other end.

I don't know the shore very well. but for the city end the bus stop by victoria park just before the motorway onramp would be perfect.

Surely cheaper than 5 million to buy 1 or 2 buses solely for this purpose.

$1 each way.

taadaa.

If it's for sight seeing tell them to get fucked. if they want to get over...which i want to do sometimes from the city....

set up a bus that takes bicycles.

Logical solution to me, what you guys think?

[skidMark]

Why don't they add another service type bicycle/walk lane underneath the main road area???

Also very viable. but i suspect it's more for sight seeing. As opposed to a urgently needed way to get over the shore.

[FJRider]

WHY STOP AT MAKING A CYCLE LANE ONLY ON THE BRIDGE...ALL MOTORWAYS SHOULD HAVE ONE. THE BREED THAT USED THEM WOULD SOON DIE OUT (killed off) The outside lane would be "fun" on any windy day on a bicycle. Scooters arent allowed, WHY would pushbikes be allowed ???

[swbarnett]

Why don't they add another service type bicycle/walk lane underneath the main road area???

They did that under the Mangere bridge and in the days when I traversed the Manukau harbour daily it was known as a good place to get ambushed. I used the old bridge in preference.

[skidMark]

They did that under the Mangere bridge and in the days when I traversed the Manukau harbour daily it was known as a good place to get ambushed. I used the old bridge in preference.

good point....no where to go.

[90s]

Why don't they add another service type bicycle/walk lane underneath the main road area???

This thread would make more sense if it assessed the actual plan under review, as from the NZHerald 27 October 2007:

"CYCLISTS AND WALKERS MAY GET TO USE AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE
- Cyclists and pedestrians have a chance of realising their dream being able to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge - as a spinoff from a $45 million project to strengthen its two "clip-ons".
Transit NZ has investigated adding a cycleway to the western edge of the 1.2km landmark, and a walkway along its seaward flank, on 1.5m-wide extensions to the clip-on road surfaces. It expects that would add $30 million to $40 million to the strengthening project it wants to fast-track to protect the clip-ons from heavy trucks. ... Transit northern operations manager Joseph Flanagan said last night an engineering report on strengthening the clip-ons had confirmed their structural capacity to carry cyclists on one side and pedestrians on the other, including barriers to protect them from vehicles. He said the study did not include design planning, so he could not say what barrier materials might be used, or how pedestrians and cyclists would reach the bridge."

As a note, the lanes would be lower and sepperate from current traffic.

Anyone who has cycled the Golden Gate bridge - or walked it - will see how this type of scheme can work extremely effectively. As a cyclist as well as a motorbiker the issue of approach to the bridge is the only issue on the viability of this proposal.

[Marmoot]

Scooters arent allowed, WHY would pushbikes be allowed ???

because pushbikes have no carbon footprint and current Labour government promised to support Green Party's initiatives in exchange for votes on government policies
(this is due to the last election's result)

the bit where the trucks go hurtling past at 110km/h

It's 80kph limit on the harbour bridge

Why don't they add another service type bicycle/walk lane underneath the main road area???

They already have ferry services. Someone should point out to Officials about them should be using public transport more rather than adding private vehicles (despite being pushbikes) on Harbour Bridge.

[jrandom]

I'd absolutely love a cycleway across the Harbour Bridge and the opportunity to leave Betty at home on weekdays and commute on the Trek. I hope this plan doesn't fall by the wayside.

[Marmoot]

I'd absolutely love a cycleway across the Harbour Bridge and the opportunity to leave Betty at home on weekdays and commute on the Trek. I hope this plan doesn't fall by the wayside.

I digress....imagining being stuck behind your lycra-clad bottom really put me off

[skidMark]

I digress....imagining being stuck behind your lycra-clad bottom really put me off

just put j random on the clip - on yep.....thatll take 20% of the load off...all other vehicles won't use it due to the size of j's arse, mind you j weighs the same as 80% of the traffic

[rainman]

It's 80kph limit on the harbour bridge

Yep. I know. Doesn't mean that's the speed that traffic goes when things aren't congested. And when was the last time you saw a camera cop on the bridge?

[90s]

Yep. I know. Doesn't mean that's the speed that traffic goes when things aren't congested. And when was the last time you saw a camera cop on the bridge?

The last 4 times I have crossed the bridge I have seen the cops ticketing speeders - all on the the shore side. However, there is often a cop car waiting at the start of the bridge on the city side. The traffic in open conditions rarely goes above 90ks over the bridge. I go over the bridge weekly at various times.

[HungusMaximist]

Also as a heavy commuter cyclist, I wouldn't mind having the bridge open up a dedicated lane for bicycles.

Though somebody mentioned some interesting point on when it gets windy, rainy and Trucky (wet truck spray).