What better way to get to the beach on a breezy summer day than by bike? But where to put your bike, once you get there? If you’re lucky, you might find a handy rack, or a pole, or a friendly tree. But the more popular the beach, the trickier it is to find a spot to park.
Point Chevalier Beach is no exception, with parking at a premium on summer weekends.
So, Bike Pt Chev had a brainwave. Their new initiative, Bike to the Beach, offers free bike valet parking, on both sides of weekend high tides – to look after your wheels while you relax and enjoy the beach. The secure set-up is run by a team of friendly local kids and parents, and delivered with support from Auckland Transport.
You’ll find the crew at Harbour View Reserve, where the bike valet is at street level, making it easy to roll up and hand over your wheels in exchange for a numbered ticket. Then stroll down the paths to Point Chevalier’s sandy beach, a gentle inner-harbour swimming spot with pontoons and picnic benches.
And when you’re ready to head home, your bike will be waiting for you! You can also grab free local bike maps, to inspire you to explore the new cycleway connections (and spot any gaps that need filling), plus cute Bike Pt Chev stickers for your bike.
Since launching on Auckland Anniversary Day, Bike to the Beach has already looked after well over a hundred bikes so far – with only a few repeat customers! A huge part of the fun is chatting with the visitors, on bikes big and small, arriving from near (a few streets away, and neighbouring ‘burbs) and far (Laingholm! Onehunga! Meadowbank!).
If you’re keen to join the crowd, this weekend’s high tides will be around dinnertime, with sunset just after 8pm. Weather permitting, the vibes will be, as the kids say, impeccable.
UPDATE: cancelled for Saturday 14th Feb due to poor water quality. Please check readytoride.nz/biketothebeach to confirm Sunday is on.
NOTE: Bike valet times can change depending on weather and swimming conditions, so for the latest updates please check readytoride.nz/biketothebeach. Bike Pt Chev will be keeping a particularly close eye on the forecast for Saturday, so please do double-check before you set off!
- Saturday 14 February: high tide at 6.05pm. It’s Valentine’s Day – what better day to take the ones you love to the beach with a picnic dinner, weather permitting, perhaps picked up at one of the local cafes, takeaways or eateries?
- Sunday 15 February: high tide at 7pm. A big day in the neighbourhood, with the family-friendly Big Gay Out lighting up Coyle Park from 12pm-7pm. And an ideal day to go by bike, as vehicle access is limited. Top tip: The BGO has great food trucks and as always, Bike Auckland will be offering Bike Valet there – so you could double-dip, grab an early dinner at the food trucks in Coyle Park and head over to Harbour View Reserve for a quick swim to round off your big day out.
Bike to the Beach will also be running the following weekend, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February – and maybe even beyond that, according to popular demand.
PS Even if you’re not on a bike, swing by and say hi to one of the friendliest bike burbs in town. Bike Pt Chev is also known for its long-running Bike Train, and Bike to Football at Seddon Fields (which was wildly popular even before the Meola Road cycleway!), as well as community events, guided group rides and more.
