Second Phase Of Bikes In Buses Trial Begins - Cyclists Can Now Cross The Auckland Harbour Bridge
Auckland Transport (AT) is gearing up for the next phase of its bikes in buses trial from July 2025, aiming to make public transport more flexible, and enable a variety of active modes of travel.
Following a successful pilot in November 2024, where two types of internal bike racks were tested on double-decker buses along the Northern Express (NX1) route, AT is expanding the initiative. The pilot demonstrated that integrating bikes with buses is feasible, and of interest to many passengers.
AT's Head of Public Transport Services Planning & Development Pete Moth says allowing bikes inside buses would mean that AT can provide a consistent service for passengers using Rapid Transit Services, as bikes can already be taken on trains.
'By making it easier for Aucklanders to combine a bike ride and a public transport trip, it provides options for more people to use public transport. This could save many Aucklanders' time and money and contribute to health and environmental goals.
'Importantly, allowing bikes on the NX1 service gives cyclists a way to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, providing a more connected and accessible network,' he says.
What to expect in phase two of the bikes in buses trial
From July 2025, there will be 15 double decker buses on Auckland's Northern Express (NX1) bus route fitted with a bike rack inside the bus. These bike racks will be available to all cyclists to use.
The preferred bike rack design is a sleek, flip-down space-efficient model with secure bike restraints. Installation is underway through May and June, and racks will be available for use as soon as they're installed.
Integration with the AT Mobile App will allow users to check in real-time (in the 'live departures' section) if an approaching bus has a bike rack onboard. Passengers at NX1 stops and stations will also be able to identify if a bus has a bike rack by the circular green cyclist icon on the front, and the side of the bus.
An important part of this trial is to better understand the experience of cyclists and NX1 bus passengers, so AT is encouraging cyclists and NX1 commuters to share their experiences via an online survey.
Phase two of the trial is expected to run for one year, so that AT can monitor operations across all seasons.
'Ultimately, our aim is to offer a consistent service on all Rapid Transit Services. By allowing passengers to take their bikes on the NX1 service, this is a first step towards bikes being allowed on all of our Rapid Transit bus services, as they can be on trains,' Pete Moth says.
'We hope a successful trial will lead to other Rapid Transit Bus Services (the NX2 and WX1) across Auckland being able to offer a bikes in buses service to cyclists.'
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Auckland Transport says bike racks will be on 1/3 of its North Shore Express buses by July 21. Photo: 123RF Cyclists on Auckland's North Shore can finally take the bus across the Harbour Bridge. Buses in the city do not have bike racks - the only public transport option for those taking bikes across the harbour is to catch a ferry. But from July 2025, 15 North Shore Express 1 buses running every 3 to 15 minutes between Albany and the city centre will be getting bike racks. By 21 July, Auckland Transport said bike racks would be on 1/3 of its North Shore Express buses. Unlike other public transport operators across the country which have front-mounted bike racks on the outside of their buses, AT's bike racks were inside with passengers. Head of Public Transport Services Pete Moth said having bike racks would not reduce the number of passengers the buses could fit, although some people might have to stand. "We removed three banks of two seats, six seats in total. "When bikes are not being used we can actually get nine passengers standing in that space." He said cyclists could expect roughly every third NX1 bus to have a bike rack with two available bike spaces. He said AT consulted a public transport accessibility advisory group to ensure bringing in bikes would not negatively impact accessible seating. "We can adequately fit wheelchairs, pushchairs, mobility scooters as well as bikes into the space." Head of Active Modes Tania Loveridge said they were pleased to be taking the first step towards having bikes on buses . "People have been calling for the chance to take their bike across the Harbour Bridge for some time. "We've been looking at this for the better part of a year in terms of exploring opportunities and how that best could be done. "There was a trial undertaken prior to Christmas as an initial phase one and now it's about rolling out this as a trial for the coming 12 months and we're looking forward to hearing what Aucklanders say about it." Buses with cycle racks have a green cyclist symbol on the outside of the bus. The AT Mobile app and eventually digital signage screens at bus stops would also show which buses accommodated bikes. Councillor and cyclist Chris Darby. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Councillor and cyclist Chris Darby said having the bike racks on the NX1 gave North Shore commuters another option to get to work and University. "It's [the NX1] one of our very busiest bus routes. It carries a lot of people and of course, you've got a bridge in the way and you can't cycle over that. "This particular solution comes a small way to bridging that barrier of coming across the harbour by bike." He said keeping bikes inside the bus meant drivers did not have to worry about bikes falling off the bus if they were not secured properly. Fiáin d'Leafy from Bike Auckland said they had been pushing for bikes on buses, particularly for North Shore services. "We've been campaigning for a way to cross the harbour with our bikes so this goes some way towards addressing the glaring gap. "It gives people a lot more mobility and freedom to use their bikes for their trips between the North Shore and the city centre and we're really excited for that." With City Rail Link construction impacting train services, d'Leafy wanted to see bikes racks on more buses sooner than later. "We would love to see bike racks extended. Especially to buses that are being used as replacements for the trains. The train allows us to take a bike on board. Having a bus replace a train where you can't take your bike onboard the bus is not a true train replacement." They encouraged cyclists to be courteous of other bus users when bringing their bikes on board. Head of Public Transport Services Peter Moth said if their 12-month trial period went well, they would look at installing bike racks on more services including NX2 and the Western Express 1 buses. He said AT was not ruling out also having front-mounted bike racks in the future. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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Second Phase Of Bikes In Buses Trial Begins - Cyclists Can Now Cross The Auckland Harbour Bridge
Auckland Transport (AT) is gearing up for the next phase of its bikes in buses trial from July 2025, aiming to make public transport more flexible, and enable a variety of active modes of travel. Following a successful pilot in November 2024, where two types of internal bike racks were tested on double-decker buses along the Northern Express (NX1) route, AT is expanding the initiative. The pilot demonstrated that integrating bikes with buses is feasible, and of interest to many passengers. AT's Head of Public Transport Services Planning & Development Pete Moth says allowing bikes inside buses would mean that AT can provide a consistent service for passengers using Rapid Transit Services, as bikes can already be taken on trains. 'By making it easier for Aucklanders to combine a bike ride and a public transport trip, it provides options for more people to use public transport. This could save many Aucklanders' time and money and contribute to health and environmental goals. 'Importantly, allowing bikes on the NX1 service gives cyclists a way to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, providing a more connected and accessible network,' he says. What to expect in phase two of the bikes in buses trial From July 2025, there will be 15 double decker buses on Auckland's Northern Express (NX1) bus route fitted with a bike rack inside the bus. These bike racks will be available to all cyclists to use. The preferred bike rack design is a sleek, flip-down space-efficient model with secure bike restraints. Installation is underway through May and June, and racks will be available for use as soon as they're installed. Integration with the AT Mobile App will allow users to check in real-time (in the 'live departures' section) if an approaching bus has a bike rack onboard. Passengers at NX1 stops and stations will also be able to identify if a bus has a bike rack by the circular green cyclist icon on the front, and the side of the bus. An important part of this trial is to better understand the experience of cyclists and NX1 bus passengers, so AT is encouraging cyclists and NX1 commuters to share their experiences via an online survey. Phase two of the trial is expected to run for one year, so that AT can monitor operations across all seasons. 'Ultimately, our aim is to offer a consistent service on all Rapid Transit Services. By allowing passengers to take their bikes on the NX1 service, this is a first step towards bikes being allowed on all of our Rapid Transit bus services, as they can be on trains,' Pete Moth says. 'We hope a successful trial will lead to other Rapid Transit Bus Services (the NX2 and WX1) across Auckland being able to offer a bikes in buses service to cyclists.'
