Bike Auckland Timeline

For 150 years, Aucklanders on bikes have been bringing our city’s streets to life, and vice versa.

Our vision all along: safe routes and good roads, so we can travel freely under our own power. Here are some highlights of our journey so far – and the healthy, happy future we’re moving towards!

Bike Auckland Timeline

1940
1940

1940s: The “Mystery Bike Hike” craze

1940s: The “Mystery Bike Hike” craze
From the late 1930s on, cyclists by the hundreds took part in “mystery bike hikes”, riding en masse to a destination only revealed on the day. In this photo from March 1940, over 800 teenagers gather at the Auckland Domain to ride twelve miles to Tui Glen in honour of the centenary of pedal-power. (Image: Papers Past)
Over 800 riders, mostly teenagers, gather for a Mystery Bicycle Hike on 10 March, 1940. (Image: NZ Herald via Papers Past)
1935
1935

1935: Auckland’s First Separated Bike Lanes

In 1935, concrete bike lanes 8 ft wide were installed along 1km of Great South Rd from Penrose to Ōtāhuhu, to provide a safe route for workers and school children. Led by the Ōtāhuhu Borough Council, the project was supported by the Automobile Association. Two years later, similar lanes were proposed for Great North Rd in New Lynn. Little trace remains of either facility.

1903
1903

1903: Auckland’s First Cycle Track

1903: Auckland’s First Cycle Track

In 1903, the Birkdale Cycle League built three miles of bicycle track from Highbury Corner to Birkdale. “The first road cycle track made in the colony” was funded by donations, including a barrel of tar and a quantity of sawdust. The path was opened with a grand celebration hosted by the Mayor of Birkenhead; after a picnic and speeches, 300 riders set off on a ride along the new route. The new track quickly lifted property values in the district. (Image: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection)

The opening of the Birkdale Cycle Track, 21 March 1903. (Image: NZ Graphic, 28 March 1903. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-19030328-872-3)

Some of the 300 cyclists gathered at “Calliope”, the Mayor’s residence in Northcote, for the opening of the Birkdale Cycle Track. (Image: NZ Graphic, 28 March 1903. Auckland Library Heritage Collections NZG-19030328-872-1)

Mr Witheford, the Mayor of Northcote, making the opening speech. (Image: NZ Graphic, 28 March 1903. Auckland Library Heritage Collections NZG-19030328-872-2)

1902
1902

Early 1900s: The bike shop boom

Early 1900s: The bike shop boom

The “Biclorama” run by cycle importers Dexter & Crozier on Victoria St East, shown here in 1902, was just one of many bicycle shops that sprang up around the city to supply suitable wheels for Aucklanders. Hills were clearly no obstacle to our ancestors! (Image: National Library of New Zealand)

Outside the premises of the bicycle shop of Dexter and Crozier, cycle importers, Victoria Street East, Auckland, in 1902. The shop is called the “Rambler Biclorama”; a group of men stand outside the front of the shop, with two tandems in the foreground. (Image: National Library of New Zealand.)

1901
1901

1900s: The Auckland Cycle Roads League

1900s: The Auckland Cycle Roads League

The Auckland Cycle Roads League gathered over 2000 signatures towards a 10,000-strong nationwide petition from cyclists, asking Parliament for a dedicated tax to fund better roads. “We want cycle tracks” says the banner at a picnic on One Tree Hill on 20 April 1901. (Image: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection)

A group portrait of the members of the Auckland Cycle Roads League, at One Tree Hill, Epsom, Saturday, April 20, 1901. (Image: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection.)

1900
1900

1900s: The Campaign for Good Roads Begins

1900s: The Campaign for Good Roads Begins

Bicycle clubs like the Auckland Amateur Athletics and Cycle Club hosted group rides that drew hundreds of participants. They also campaigned vigorously for sealed roads and improved streets: ‘WE WANT GOOD ROADS’ says the banner at this November 1900 gathering. (Image: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections.)

A photograph of some of the ladies and gents of the Auckland Amateur Athletics and Cycle Club, from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News, 9 November 1900. (Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection

1897
1897

1890s: Women on Wheels

1890s: Women on Wheels

Women especially embraced cycling as a means of liberty, independence and social enjoyment, and the bicycle was instrumental in the campaign for women’s suffrage. Shown: the Auckland Ladies’ Cycling Club proceeding up Symonds St in 1897 on one of their regular runs.

The Auckland Ladies’ Cycling Club proceeding up Symonds St (Image: NZ Graphic, 16 October 1897, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection)

The Committee of the Auckland Ladies’ Cycling Club (Image: NZ Graphic, 16 October 1897, Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection)

1880
1880

1880s Onward: A Social Revolution

1880s Onward: A Social Revolution

Aucklanders were quick to cotton on to the fun and accessibility of two-wheelers, with many a social club dedicated to promoting and enjoying the new activity. Pictured: The Holy Sepulchre Bicycle Club heading down Khyber Pass, in 1896. (Image: Auckland Museum Collection)

Unknown photographer: The Holy Sepulchre Bicycle Club on Khyber Pass, 1896. (Auckland Museum Collection)

1869
1869

1869: Auckland’s First Bicycle Ride

1869: Auckland’s First Bicycle Ride

On a moonlit Monday night, 23 August 1869, the wagon-maker Mr Cousins rode a “velocipede” down Grey St (present-day Greys Ave) towards Queen St. His feat was reported in the papers the following day, setting in motion a contagious social revolution that’s still rolling a century and a half later.

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Bike Auckland is the non-profit organisation working to improve things for people on bikes. We’re a people-powered movement for a better region. We speak up for you – and the more of us there are, the stronger our voice!

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