This is a guest post by Carl Wells, a professional musician
For a long time I’ve wanted to cycle to the airport in Auckland to catch a flight. A recent four-day trip to Christchurch finally provided me the perfect opportunity. The ride was so safe, scenic and enjoyable that I want to share my experience to help and possibly inspire others to take the trip.
Everything needed for the trip must be carried on the bike, but it’s not as crazy as I first feared. Not only did I fit my necessary clothes and gear in my panniers, but I also carted a box of Ooooby fruits and vegetables to donate to the earthquake shelters in Christchurch as well as my trusty french horn. I also packed an empty duffel bag so that when I got to the airport I could repack everything into it.
Part 1
I’ll start my description once you’ve made your way to the South-Western Motorway. There is a brilliant new separated cycle path which follows the the southern side of the motorway nearly all the way until the Mangere Bridge.
One should be aware that the bike lane continues at many intersections along this segment — even when you see signs that say ‘bike lane ends’ or ‘no bikes’. The signs are more of a reminder to not wander absent-mindedly onto the motorway on-ramp. Bad idea. Especially considering there is such a nice bike path.
The separated cycle path climbs gradually and ends at its highest point just past Hillsborough Rd. A fantastic view, and then an exhilarating downhill along Hendry Ave, a conveniently deserted side street. Note: coming back from the airport I had to walk my bike back up this hill as the climb was just too sudden and relentless.
On top of the world as the cycle path joins with Hendry Ave.
Here’s a discouraging sign on the far side of the roundabout where Hendry Ave ends. Just to the right of this sign is an unmarked new separated cycle path.
Continue along as the path joins a scenic harbour front drive. At the intersection make a hard right onto this shared use footpath.
The path bears to the right just before it approaches this popular fishing bridge.
Half-way!
Part 2
After crossing the bridge continue straight through the roundabout past the shops. This section is all road cycling but the road is mostly wide and pretty safe. Bear right slightly at the next roundabout, following the sign to ‘Mangere Town Centre’.
After this second roundabout, take your second left onto Hinau Rd — a short cul-de-sac. At the end of the cul-de-sac continue along the shared use path. The delicious smells of backyard BBQs distracted successfully from the pollution in the stream.
Follow this path as it winds through some large rugby fields and eventually crosses Bader Dr. Though this cluster of signs on the opposite side of the intersection doesn’t do much to encourage any would be non-motorists.
Ignore and proceed.
Part 3
After the cycle path ends at Kirkbridge Rd, continue along the cycle lane in traffic. Though it is an exceptionally wide cycle lane, it could still be a bit harrowing considering the four lane highway has a speed limit of 100 km/h.
If you can successfully negotiate through two roundabouts in traffic then you’ve made it! It took me just over an hour from the bottom of Sandringham on my old beater bike, including time to stop for pictures and to get a little lost.
After repacking at the Air New Zealand ‘bag packing’ station I proceeded to ask around for a place to lock my bike for four days. I was given the run around by security guards, traffic guards, information booths and information hotlines — and only one of them knew about a bike rack at the very far end of the international terminal. After cycling all the way to the airport I wasn’t expecting to almost miss my flight due to lack of parking! Turns out we were all just uninformed: according to the Auckland Airport website, there is indeed a bike rack in the domestic terminal car park. Perhaps next time …
Conclusion
This really is a beautiful ride where about 75 percent of the journey is along separated cycle paths. How many cities can brag of a having a practical cycle route to an international airport? With some proper signage, a separating curb for the last four kilometers, and a bit of marketing — this route will really go places!
Good on you Carl! I really enjoyed reading this and the photos too
The fact that this is even an option is super cool! I hope other people follow your lead – woop woop!
Yeah nice write-up Carl, and thanks for taking the time to take some pictures.
“Ignore and proceed†– That's a t-shirt right there!
… and a question from a computer incompetent:
How do you get your ride recorded on the map and get a picture of it afterwards?
(That's something I'd like to do)
Thanks Carl. Its great to hear people experimenting with journeys that we might assume would be taken by car. I'm increasingly discovering the joys of different modes, mixing cycle, scooter, train, ferry, experiencing an extra dimension within places i would have dismissed as mundane if i'd driven there.
To answer Antoine, I didn't do anything technological to record my trip on a map. Afterwards I simply snipped bits of google map and drew a shaky blue line with my mouse!
Way to go Carl! Pedal power all the way! And it looks like you upgraded your ride…nice work.
I also took this cycle way recently some of the way. IT is beautiful but I agree that the sign posting is a little weird.
I missed the new section without signs and ended up on a side road…also got rather confused around Onehunga and thought the path had ended. I crossed a stream and then when I was cycling along a very busy road I suddenly could see it on the other side of a beautiful park – which I couldn't reach…
But aside from that it's great! makes me consider living in Onehunga as a real possibility.
If you want to avoid George Bolt Dr in the future (well most of it) and have a nice country ride at the same time, take a right at Church Rd and follow that around as it becomes Wallace, turn right at the roundabout (Creamery Rd) and go past the poo ponds, then right at Ascot Rd and that takes you around through Ihumatao. At the end of the rd turn left into Ihumatao Rd, which takes you down to George Bolt Dr about 200m from the Foodtown. You do have to make a right hand turn across George Bolt but there is a large turning bay in the middle so its pretty easy.
Its probably slightly longer but its a pretty nice ride. Also if you want to go the scenic route, take Kiwi Esplanade instead around past Ambury Farm.
my last few trips between WLG and AKL were by train. more eco-friendly and scenic (and slower) than flying, and it's only an extra $10 to bring my bike with me – try that on a plane. the train terminals in both cities are very accessible by bicycle.
i was concerned about having my bike stowed in the luggage car, but i'm happy to report that it worked out very well.
I'm trying this on Monday afternoon when I get back from the grand prix in Melborne, put the bike in the taxi for the way out, and cycle home
Carl, you're a recent hero in my life! "“Ignore and proceed†– That's a t-shirt right there!" – awesome. This brilliant 'quote of the week' comes a close second to – "we love brasil, but we don't trust Petrobras" Kelvinator
Well I made to Melbourne and back, and my bike was the only one on the bike rack. I had a nice southerly wind pushing me along, and I rode to Mt Eden for dinner and then on to home in Orakei with ease. Thanks so much for the inspiration to use my bike to get home from the Airport. I'll be looking next time to see if anyone else is using the bike rack… I hope so!
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