The recent recognition of the AHB Skyway project in Auckland Council’s new budget means we can look forward with more certainty to cycling and walking across the Harbour. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of cyclists line up at ferry terminals to commute to the Downtown Terminal.
Devonport ferry terminal has over 70 bike parks; most are sheltered from rain and all are f
ull each workday. In addition, peak hour Devonport ferries carry up to 20 cycles. Birkenhead, Northcote, Bayswater, Half Moon Bay, West Harbour, Half Moon Bay, Pine Harbour and Matiatia (Waiheke) Terminals cater less for bike parking, but where the ferries carry cycles, numbers are booming in peak hours. New bike parking installed at the Downtown Terminal late last year (beside the AirBus bus stop) are already full on weekdays.
Luckily Fullers Ferries are staunch cycling champions. Cycles travel for free on ferries and the new Waiheke bus bike racks, and ferry crews are helpful and friendly; but as pressure on cycle space mounts, it pays for us to be especially courteous, so other passengers are not inconvenienced.
We hope Auckland Transport is monitoring this increasing demand to carry bikes on ferries as part of its integrated transport planning. We were relieved to meet John Joachim, (Auckland Transport’s Wharf Facilities leader) by chance last week. After talking to him we began to think of him as a guardian angel, as he is totally dedicated to ensuring our ferry wharves are welcoming and good to use. He had a hand in installing the drinking water dispensers at Waiheke and Devonport wharf, and is a keen supporter of cycles and ferries. He knows we want more bike parking at all terminals, especially spaces that are handy, sheltered and secure – and he’s doing his best to provide it. We say ‘More power and budget to John’.
