Auckland’s Te Ara I Whiti Cycleway Marks 10 Years of Success

Auckland’s renowned cycleway, Te Ara I Whiti – also known as The Lightpath – celebrated its tenth anniversary on December 3, 2023. The vibrant magenta pathway recorded an impressive 240,000 cycling trips in the past year, contributing to nearly two million trips since its inception. This milestone showcases not only its popularity but also its role in promoting cycling as a viable mode of transport in the city.

The cycleway, which spans from Upper Queen Street, crosses a motorway via a bridge and follows the old Nelson Street off-ramp, has become a central feature of Auckland’s expanding network of cycling routes. Councillor Shane Henderson, deputy chair of the transport, resilience, and infrastructure delivery committee, commended the initiative. He stated, “Te Ara I Whiti is a great example of the council seeing an infrastructure conundrum and turning it into a triumph.”

Henderson highlighted that the cycleway’s success has led to plans for refreshing the path, indicating a positive challenge for the city. “It’s a good problem to have,” he added.

Iconic Pathway and Community Engagement

According to Tania Loveridge, head of active modes at Auckland Transport, the cycleway has become an iconic part of the city’s landscape. “There have been thousands of images shared globally since it opened a decade ago,” she noted. Loveridge emphasized the foresight involved in transforming a disused motorway off-ramp into a critical connection for walkers and cyclists.

In addition to the anniversary celebrations, Auckland Transport also announced the completion of the Māngere West cycling connection, with further developments planned for Hobsonville in the new year. Loveridge stated the aim is to deliver over 15 kilometers of safe cycling infrastructure by June 2024. She highlighted that providing safe, protected infrastructure is essential for encouraging more people to cycle, noting a consistent five percent growth in cycling participation over the last three years.

Art Meets Functionality

The cycleway is not only a functional transportation route but also a canvas for artistic expression. Emily Trent, head of arts and culture at Auckland Council, reflected on the unique combination of art and utility that Te Ara I Whiti offers. “It’s a popular cycleway and also a canvas for beautiful art,” she explained.

Each year, the pathway features between 15 and 20 different light shows, often coordinated with other city events like the Vector Lights on the Harbour Bridge. Currently, the pathway showcases “Symphony in Space,” a collaborative work by artist Matthew Tucker and Māpura Studios, designed to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities, which coincides with the cycleway’s anniversary.

Tucker’s installation reimagines the pathway lights as a large-scale piano, assigning each light a constellation and creating light patterns that resemble a musical composition. This installation will be displayed on Te Ara I Whiti until December 7, illuminating the pathway nightly from 20:00 to 06:00.

Te Ara I Whiti’s successful integration of transportation and art underscores Auckland’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility while celebrating creativity. As the city looks towards the future, initiatives like these will continue to play a vital role in shaping a connected and vibrant community.