This aint no ordinary bridge
I had the pleasure on Thursday of attending the opening of the long awaited bridge over Onehunga Harbour Rd. The simple, low key event did not go close to justifying this magnificent bridge.
There is a growing and welcome trend appearing. NZTA are making statements with the walking and cycling bridges that they are designing and building. This really is great news. It’s like a shout from a roof top: “PEOPLE MATTER!” This bridge really exceeds expectations. It is a landmark.
This bridge means alot to me on a personal level too. I have been plying this route on a daily basis for close to 10 years. When Cycle Action was first invited to be a part of the design selection, I have to say, I wasn’t that interested. I simply wanted a functional bridge that would stop this peice of Auckland being a death trap for people choosing to walk and cycle.
Everyday, a growing number of ex-students of mine cycle or walk past me on their way to school. For these students, their commute to school has just been made alot safer. As much as I want to encourage young people to cycle, and I know cycling is safe, I really worry about these kids becoming victims to a city designed for fast moving traffic. And I guess the victims could also include the students who are choosing not to cycle or walk because parents perceive it to be too dangerous. Well, those parents can relax now.
There was a large group of walkers at the opening on Thursday. There is a thriving walking group based in the wonderful community of Mangere Bridge. Their attendance highlighted for me the true nature of this completed bridge. It is a community asset. The Onehunga shopping centre is now just a hop, skip and jump from the ‘Bridge’. The newly opened Onehunga Branch line now makes the wider world more accessible to a larger pool of people. They can now legitimately leave their cars at home. That is what intergated transport is all about. Imagine if some quality bicycle facilities were to be installed at the Onehunga station. That would send cycling in Mangere Bridge into the stratosphere.
Give people an option, an attractive alternative to the car, and watch them flock to it.
