$18m cycle way lighting up Auckland’s inner city

The Nelson St cycleway has been developed to open up the inner city for walkers and cyclists, and it’s working.

In 2016 186,000 cyclists used the cycleway, Auckland Transport figures show.

The $18 million bright pink cycleway is elevated over busy Auckland roads and leads down through to Nelson St, touted as New Zealand’s most ambitious piece of cycling infrastructure, is the first to be reviewed in our Auckland urban cycleway review series.

It has a gentle slope and links the northwestern cycle route, Grafton Gully and the waterfront.

There are panoramic views from Freemans Bay, Ponsonby, over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, to the North Shore, along with views into the central business district.

‘‘At night it is a spectacle of pink and purple lighting hues, making it both engaging and safe to use in the evening.’’

Taking time to stop and look down over the motorway, as streams of traffic flow beneath is worthwhile.

The Nelson St cycleway is divided into two parts, Te Ara I Whiti - The Lightpath, and Nelson St cycle lane section.

The cycleway starts at the Upper Queen St and Canada St intersection, and continues down on the west side of Nelson St to the intersection of Victoria St. At night it is a spectacle of pink and purple lighting hues, making it both engaging and safe to use in the evening.