{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2024}} {{infobox organization | name = Bike Auckland | image = Bike Auckland Logo.png | image_border = | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | caption = | map = Position of Auckland Region.png | map_size = 250px | map_alt = Auckland Region. | map_caption = Auckland Region | abbreviation = BikeAKL | formation = 1998 | type = NGO | status = Incorporated Society & Registered Charity | purpose = Advocacy | headquarters = {{flagicon|NZ}} [[Auckland]], New Zealand | location = | region_served = Auckland | membership = Private persons | language = English | leader_title = Chair | leader_name = Karen Hormann | leader_title2 = Chief Biking Officer | leader_name2 = Fiáin d'Leafy | main_organ = | parent_organization = | affiliations = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | budget = | website = https://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/ | remarks = }} [[File:Quay Street 020.jpg|270px|thumb|right|Former Bike Auckland chair Barbara Cuthbert at the opening of the Quay Street Cycleway in 2016.]]
'''Bike Auckland''' (Bike AKL), formerly Cycle Action Auckland (CAA) is a pro-[[cycling]] [[advocacy]] group in [[Auckland]], 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Building a cycle culture for the Supercity|url=http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/transportcommitteecaapresentation20110301.pdf|accessdate=13 June 2011|newspaper=Minutes of the Auckland Council Transport Committee|date=1 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212075442/http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/transportcommitteecaapresentation20110301.pdf|archive-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Affiliated with [[Cycling Action Network]], the group focuses on Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The group also more generally calls for increased funding for [[cycling infrastructure]] and safety measures.<ref name="REVIEW"/>
The first chair (up until 2008) was [[Bevan Woodward]].<ref name="NZ_Herald_10494140">{{cite news |url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/traffic/news/article.cfm?c_id=348&objectid=10494140 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121013023512/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/traffic/news/article.cfm?c_id=348&objectid=10494140 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2012-10-13 |title = Nicola Shepheard: Two-wheel zeal |author = Shepheard, Nicola |date = 24 February 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> The chair from 2008 to 2021 was [[Barbara Cuthbert]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://caa.org.nz/about/the-caa-committee/|work=CAA Website|accessdate=5 September 2011|url-status=dead |title = CAA Committee |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20111125155756/http://caa.org.nz/about/the-caa-committee/ |archivedate = 25 November 2011}}</ref> The chair from 2021 to 2023 was Tony Mitchell.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2021 |title=We are delighted to announce our new Chair and Chief Biking Officer |url=https://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/we-are-delighted-to-announce-our-new-chair-and-chief-biking-officer/ |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref> The current chair as of September 2024 is Karen Hormann.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Auckland |first=Bike |date=2021-07-29 |title=Introducing: Karen Hormann! |url=https://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/introducing-karen-hormann/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Bike Auckland |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
==Activities== Campaigns and projects of Bike Auckland include working with [[Auckland Council]] to improve safety for cyclists and other users on Auckland's main roads, such as [[Tamaki Drive]] (one of the major cycling routes of Auckland, which also saw some high-profile accidents),<ref name="REVIEW">{{cite news|title=Barbara Cuthbert: Safe cycling and driving messages require review|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10691365|accessdate=5 December 2010|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=2 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="NZ_Herald_10605429">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/road-safety/news/article.cfm?c_id=308&objectid=10605429&pnum=1 |title=Team to tackle safety issues on Tamaki Drive |author=Tiffen, Rachel |date=26 October 2009 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="NZ_Herald_10617677">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/traffic/news/article.cfm?c_id=348&objectid=10617677 |title=Cyclists welcome hazard sign to alert motorists |author=Dearnaley, Mathew |date=29 December 2009 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> working with the [[NZ Transport Agency]] on improvements to the [[Northwestern Cycleway]]<ref>[http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/443/news.html NZTA closing the gap] ([[NZ Transport Agency]] press release, Auckland Regional Office, 4 November 2009. Accessed 8 November 2009.)</ref><ref name="Stuff.co.nz_3092561">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/auckland-city-harbour-news/3092561/Cycleway-work-begins |title=Cycleway work begins |author=Horrell, Rhiannon |date=25 November 2009 |work=[[Auckland City Harbour News]] |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> and other cycleway projects along motorways, such as the [[Waikaraka Cycleway]] sections around the new [[Mangere Bridge (bridges)|Manukau Harbour Bridge]] at [[Onehunga]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Manukau Harbour Crossing – Safe Crossings Ahead|url=http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/mhc/resources/pdf/newsletter-201004.pdf|accessdate=5 December 2010|newspaper=NZTA Project Newsletter|date=April 2010}}</ref>
In early 2010, the group also successfully helped convince [[North Shore City Council]] 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.<ref name="LOOMS">{{cite news|title=Shore cycle lane petition grows as council decision looms|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625164|accessdate=5 December 2010|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=10 February 2010|first=Wayne|last=Thompson}}</ref><ref name="SURVIVE">{{cite news|title=Cycleways survive despite road-widening plans|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10630974|accessdate=5 December 2010|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=10 March 2010|first=Wayne|last=Thompson}}</ref>
During 2010–2011, Bike Auckland (then Cycle Action Auckland) 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 Bike Auckland's 'detailed' and 'thoughtful' evidence and submission work.<ref>{{cite news|title=Draft Report and Decision of the Board of Inquiry into the New Zealand Transport Agency Waterview Connection Proposal – Volume 1|url=http://www.epa.govt.nz/applications/waterview/report-and-decision/docs/waterview-boi-draft-report-volume-1-may-2011.pdf|accessdate=5 June 2011|newspaper=Board of Inquiry|date=May 2011|agency=Environmental Protection Authority, New Zealand|page=71}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Board eventually decided to favour arguments in support of a [[Cycling infrastructure#Bikeways|cycleway]] as part of the Waterview project, and had $8 million set aside towards construction.<ref name=TOWERS>{{cite news|title=Objectors get their way on towers|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10724374|accessdate=26 May 2011|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=9 May 2011|first=Mathew|last=Dearnaley}}</ref>
Between 2012 and 2015, Bike Auckland advocated for the conversion of the old Nelson Street motorway off-ramp to a new walk and cycleway, [[Nelson Street Cycleway|which was opened in late 2015]].<ref name="Cycleway man">{{cite news|last1=Fagan|first1=Josh|title=Cycleway man: Plotting Auckland's Nelson St cycleway|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/74447888/cycleway-man-plotting-aucklands-nelson-st-cycleway|accessdate=31 December 2016|agency=Auckland Now|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=2 December 2015}}</ref>
Another long-term aim is to get a cycle route crossing the [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]], achieving a connection between the [[North Shore City|North Shore]] and the [[Auckland CBD]], which at the moment do not have any cycle route connections between them save for bike transport via ferries.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10493619">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=250&objectid=10493619 |title=Politicians support study into cutting bridge-lane width |author=Dearnaley, Mathew |date=21 February 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> While there are close links, the [http://getacross.org.nz/ GetAcross] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416172015/http://www.getacross.org.nz/ |date=16 April 2009 }} campaign is distinct from Bike Auckland.
=== Meetings and events ===
The group conducts regular meetings with [[Auckland Transport]] to discuss cycling infrastructure, and supports a number of affiliated events and groups, such as with [[Frocks on Bikes]],<ref name="RightGear">{{cite news|title=Cyclewear: Get into the right gear|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10655433&pnum=0|accessdate=6 July 2010|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=30 June 2010|first=Catherine|last=Smith}}</ref> [[Campaign for Better Transport (New Zealand)|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 [[Biketober]].<ref name="RightGear"/>
In 2011, Cycle Action Auckland helped organise, together with [[Auckland Transport]] and [[NZ Transport Agency]], the [[TelstraClear Challenge]] cycle race and community cycling festival, including rides over the [[Auckland Harbour Bridge]] and on the [[Northern Busway, Auckland|Northern Busway]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bridge Bike Ride A Celebration Of Cycle Culture In The Super City|url=http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/bridge-bike-ride-celebration-cycle-culture-super-city/1861/92439|accessdate=18 June 2011|newspaper=Voxy Newswire|date=17 June 2011|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908005211/http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/bridge-bike-ride-celebration-cycle-culture-super-city/1861/92439|url-status=dead}}</ref> The event took place 11 December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Riders hang tough on breezy bridge |last=Thompson |first=Wayne |date=12 December 2011 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10772601 |newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>
On the 2024 edition of [[World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims]], 17 November 2024, Bike Auckland created the Ghost Bike Art Installation in a central Auckland square. 59 [[Ghost bike|ghost bikes]] represented lives lost on New Zealand roads in the previous five years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardwell |first=Sue |date=2024-11-17 |title=Ghost bikes in central Auckland remind Government to slow down |url=https://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/ghost-bikes-in-central-auckland-remind-government-to-slow-down/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Bike Auckland |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
=== Cycle mapping ===
Together with [[Auckland Regional Transport Authority|ARTA]], Cycle Action produced a comprehensive set of cycling maps for the Auckland Region in the late 2000s.<ref name=MAPPEDOUTHAVE>{{cite news|title=Cyclists have it all mapped out|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/784717/Cyclists-have-it-all-mapped-out|accessdate=21 November 2011|newspaper=Central Leader|date=6 January 2009}}</ref> They also cooperated with [[Fullers360]] to produce a similar map for [[Waiheke Island]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Waiheke: Slow down to sight-see|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10694913|accessdate=3 January 2011|newspaper=[[New Zealand Herald]]|date=19 December 2010|first=Kirsten|last=Warner}}</ref>
==Awards== The group won a [[Cycle Friendly Awards|Cycle Friendly Award]] in 2004 for its commuter challenge held earlier that year.
== See also == *[[Cycling in Auckland]] *[[Cycling Action Network|Cycle Action Network]] *[[Spokes Canterbury]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[http://www.caa.org.nz/ Cycle Action Auckland] (official website)
[[Category:Cycling in Auckland]] [[Category:Cycling organisations in New Zealand]] [[Category:Political advocacy groups in New Zealand]] [[Category:Charities based in New Zealand]]