Bike the Bridge

The 2018 Bike the Bridge offers 7km, 15km and 22km stages that cater to any fitness.

MS Bike the Bridge

When: Sunday 18 February 2018

Where: Auckland Central

Once a year, the Bike the Bridge event offers your only chance to ride a bike over the Auckland harbour Bridge.

4000 cyclists of all levels can bike over our Auckland icon, with 4*, 7, 15 and 22km options, there is something for everyone and Auckland transport is supporting this event once again.

If you would like to take part and want to train for the 22km ride, we have put a selection of recommended rides to get you ready.

Find out more about Bike the bridge

Bike the Bridge training ideas

If you want to build up to the 22km ride (where you bike over the bridge twice) try our recommended training rides - like the event itself, these rides are removed from traffic and feature great views.

Getting started with your training.
Our favourite training ride.
Training rides in Central Auckland.
Training rides in North/West Auckland.
Training rides in South/East Auckland.

Getting started

Training for Bike the Bridge, the Otago Rail trail or just looking for a nice place to go for a leisurely ride, our cycle maps are a great place to start.

You can also download the Love to Ride app for a supportive, non-competitive way to track your rides.

These routes are our recommended rides to build you up to the full 22km Bike the Bridge length. All of these rides are on shared paths where pedestrians have right of way. The recommended average speed for Bike the Bridge is only around 15km/h so take these rides at a leisurely pace and share the paths.

Our favourite training ride

Go to your local ferry or train station and take your bike into the Central city. Bikes are free on trains and ferries.
Starting at the Downtown ferry terminal (opposite Britomart train station) take the Quay St cycleway to Grafton Gully. (The Grafton Gulley cycleway is steeper than the Auckland Harbour Bridge so do not be dismayed if you find it challenging).
From there head to the Northwestern cycleway via Upper Queen Street and Ian Mckinnon Drive.
Ride as far as you like before returning.
Download a route map of this ride (PDF 2MB).
This ride can be up to 45km if you include the Twin streams ride in Henderson. Or ride one way by catching the train back into town from Henderson.
You can also turn off at Unitec and experience the new Waterview shared path which will take you all the way to Onehunga where you can take the train back to town from the Onehunga train station.

If you prefer a training ride closer to home, check out our alternative options.

Central Auckland

Onehunga foreshore

Park at the Onehunga foreshore park and ride to either Ambury farm or to Southdown and return.

Ride one trip one weekend and come back for a second weekend to try the other trip, Rides are 12km either way.

The path from Mangere Bridge to Ambury farm (Kiwi Esplanade) is narrow and pedestrians have right of way. You may need to ride onto the grass to pass people and for this section, you may find the road an easier option

Auckland Waterfront

The Auckland Waterfront ride is a flat 16km round trip.

This busy path has a lot of people using it so take it slowly, ring your bell when passing pedestrians and look out for each other.

Devonport to Takapuna green route

Catch the ferry with your bike to Devonport and set off on this 19km ride.

The hills on this route can be steeper than the Auckland Harbour Bridge so don’t be dismayed if you can’t ride up all of them just yet. If you can ride all of the hills on this route, you’re more than fit enough to Bike the Bridge’s full 22km.

North/West Auckland

Orewa Estuary

The Orewa Estuary ride is a 7.5km path around the Orewa estuary.

The ride is mostly flat with one hill on the western end and riding the path anti-clockwise past the hill is best for those just starting out, try riding up the bridge to the top of the hill for an extra challenge.

The path can be windy in places. Watch your speed around the corners and be prepared to meet others coming the other way.

Hobsonville point

This is an 8km, mainly flat ride around Hobsonville Point.

As this is a new development the roads and routes are constantly changing. Visit the Catalina café to get the latest map.

Ride the cycle path up Greenhithe bridge to complete your ride and you’ve got an excellent 12km training route.

Twin streams - Henderson

This Twin Streams path in Henderson follows the stream and meanders its way along, up and down. There is only one steep but short hill so it’s not great for building your hill climbing ability, but at 16km it is a good length.

To extend your ride, head up to the North Western Cycleway and ride towards the city as far as you would like to go (remembering you have to come back).

South/East Auckland

Pakuranga and Wattle Downs

Start at the 7.5km Pakuranga Rotary path. Park half way and ride to one end and back.

Then visit the Wattle Downs path, a mostly flat 10km loop.

Head back to the Pakuranga Rotary path, but this time park at one end, ride to the other and back for a 15km return trip,

The Cascades

The Cascades shared path is 15km long. There are a few small hills and the path is narrow. Watch your speed and ring your bell when you approach a blind corner to let people know you are coming.