Two years ago, I joined Bike Auckland. Climate change was getting more and more urgent. I could no longer ignore my need to spend my days creating alternatives to the path we find ourselves on.
I arrived with a corporate background – my roles had involved owning and protecting a brand. But I quickly learned that advocacy is different; it’s about curating, growing, and enabling a living, breathing movement.
If there’s one thing that amazed me over the past two years, it’s how contentious getting around our city can be, and how fiercely held the views are on all sides. The challenge, and my greatest learning, has been learning how to stay open in the face of that friction. How do we see the human behind the opposition? How do we cut through the noise that isn’t useful and build a bridge toward mutually great outcomes?
I stepped into this role just as the Speed Rule was announced. It was – and remains – terrible news for biking, scooting, and walking in this great city. Quite apart from the immediate danger to those of us who ride today, the biggest impact is on those who want to give biking a go. We know they feel safe at 30km/h. They do not at 50.
I will never forget the Memorial for the Future Fallen at the cenotaph. It was a deeply poignant moment, a stark warning of what reversing safe speeds would mean. Tragically, some of those dire predictions have now come to pass. To the families who have lost loved ones on our roads in the past two years: I am so, deeply sorry we weren’t able to stop the Speed Rule. It isn’t okay.
That heartbreak taught me exactly when to draw a line and say, “not good enough.” But my time here has also been an incredible education in how to make real change. I learned how to make advocacy actions relevant to more people, how to find common ground in unexpected places, and how crucial it is to always demonstrate goodwill.
Crucially, I learned when to ask for help. To the stalwart supporters who stood by me, from whom I have learned so much, and to whom I owe so much: thank you. You know who you are, and I hope you know just how much your guidance and backing has meant to me.
In advocacy, there is always more that we would like to do, more battles than we can possibly take on. Celebrating the wins is vital. And I have some brilliant ones to take with me. Biketober 2024 was fantastic, and somehow, with Biketober 2025 we managed to double that success. The Big Bike Off was my first big crowdfunding campaign, and the sheer energy and generosity you all showed was marvellous.
Then there is Green Lane West. What started as an impending disaster was turned around into a genuine triumph of common sense, entirely because hundreds of people took the time to speak up for better biking. That campaign taught me something I will carry with me forever: even when change feels completely impossible, it is always worth the fight.
And some of the wins are less visible on the outside, but they shine brightly in my heart. Those videos and articles I created that resonated with huge numbers – far beyond anything I expected. Those meetings where, heart beating wildly, feeling like I had no right to, I nonetheless asked the elephant-in-the-room question, or pushed back on the faulty assumption. Those moments felt awkward as anything, but they led to genuine change. Whether it was car-brained thinking, or not thinking about the experience of disabled people, my gut was telling me something wasn’t right. I’m so happy I spoke up.
It’s time for me to say farewell. But I leave on a high. This is a movement that is undeniably growing.
Bike people are good people – thanks to the wonderful community I’ve found among you. And remember, every time you pedal out on an Auckland street, you are helping to make a better Auckland for our children, and for their children. You have my gratitude.
Keep pedalling.
