Transport Agency says yes to Harbour Bridge event

Cyclists will soon have an opportunity to ride over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / Dean Purcell

Cyclists will soon have an opportunity to ride over the Auckland Harbour Bridge as part of an event which could become a new addition to the city's events calender.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has approved a request for the bridge to be used for a new cycling event, the ClipOnChallenge, which could attract as many as 9000 competitors.

The event, planned for Sunday, November 13, will involve the closure of the two southbound clip-on lanes on the Harbour Bridge, and the closure of the Northern Busway.

Cyclists will begin at the Westhaven Marina in the Wynyard Quarter and ride a 115km route to the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.

Event organiser Callum McNair said cyclists had for a long time expressed a desire to mount the Harbour Bridge, which had until now been impossible.

"It's probably the one hill that everyone's looked at and not been able to climb over so from that point of view it's exciting," he said.

"The Northern Busway is another forbidden road for cyclists so that also makes it exciting."

Mr McNair also hoped the event would prompt Aucklanders to think about using modes of transport other than cars.

NZTA state highways manager Tommy Parker said the number of people participating in the event would be similar to that which ran over the bridge for the annual Auckland Marathon.

However, the event would have to meet strict safety standards, he said.

Auckland Transport community transport manager Matthew Rednall said if November's trial was successful, the event could become a regular fixture for Auckland.