Walking, cycling and micro-mobility
Walking
Walking is the dominant transport mode within the city centre, with an estimated 500,000 walking trips per day.
Every public transport, car and taxi journey begins and ends with walking. The city centre's prosperity depends upon a well-connected pedestrian environment. Footpaths need to be safe, well maintained, attractive and accessible.
While new shared spaces and public spaces have improved walking in parts of the city centre, the overall pedestrian network is fragmented. More work is needed to elevate the important role of walking as a transport mode in the city centre.
Key barriers to pedestrian movement include:
- multi-lane streets devoted to vehicle movement
- excessively long waits to cross at traffic signals
- cluttered and narrow footpaths
- steep hills.
Through light rail transit and the Access for Everyone (A4E) concept, an expansive network of pedestrian-friendly streets is planned for the city centre. This includes a pedestrian priority zone across Waihorotiu / Queen Street Valley.
Cycling
As the city centre cycle network expands, more people are cycling in central Auckland. Recent cycleway projects like Te Ara Whiti (The Lightpath) and Quay Street are reshaping both how the city centre functions and looks.
Planned investment in cycling, including a new cross-harbour connection to the North Shore could contribute an additional 15,000 cycle commuters per day. Leisure trips are also expected to be popular.
A4E traffic concept provides a framework to reprioritise city centre street space for more efficient transport modes. This enables delivery of more of the cycling network.
Use of electric cycles and scooters
The growth in the availability of electric cycles and scooters is changing how people make shorter trips and how goods and services are provided, especially in the city centre.
There is an increasing demand for space on city centre streets for safe travel for people on bicycles, scooters and compact electric vehicles, without affecting pedestrian safety.
There is also a need for parking of these vehicles without creating additional street clutter.
Related information
More information about connected city centre
