Tick for Grafton Gully cycleway
Grafton Gully cycleway is a seamless way for commuters to access Auckland’s CBD.
Opened in 2014, the $11 million urban cycleway is a link in Auckland city’s cycleway loop, and is designed to improve access to the city for commuting cyclists from as far away as Henderson - nearly 20 kilometres west.
In 2016 125,000 cyclists used the cycleway, Auckland Transport figures show.
By connecting with the Northwestern urban cycleway, the Grafton Gully route provides an almost entirely off-road cycleway between Waitakere and Auckland city.
The cycleway is well sign posted, easy to use, well maintained and connects efficiently with the Northwestern cycleway, the Nelson St cycleway and Beach Rd cycleway leading into the inner city.
I rate the cycleway 7/10 for recreational riding and 10/10 for cycle commuting.
Henderson residents Lawrence Chandam and Xiaohui Hes, who were out trialling the Northwestern and Grafton Gully cycleways recently, have decided they will cycle to work in future because of the quality of the cycleway.
Chandam planned to cycle from Henderson to Auckland’s ferry terminal before getting on a ferry to Devonport for work.
Hes planned on cycling Parnell for work each day.
‘‘We really enjoyed the [Grafton Gully] ride, it’s completely off road,’’ Chandam said.
Chandam said cycling from Henderson into town was ‘‘quite do-able and great exercise,’’ because of the quality of the cycleway. to
The three to four metre wide, fully enclosed, concrete cycleway follows the motorway in Grafton Gully, starting from Upper Queen St and connecting to a shared path at Beach Rd.
It is well maintained and feels very safe to ride on.
The cycleway dips below the underpass between Wellesley St East and Grafton Rd and includes night lighting for Aucklanders cycling to and from work in the dark.
The downside of the cycleway is the demanding, steep gradient in the mid and upper section leading up to Upper Queen St, making it less attractive for young families on recreational rides.
The Grafton Gully link provides easy access to Auckland University and AUT, the city centre, and Auckland’s waterfront.