Auckland’s Te Ara I Whiti Celebrates 10 Years of Cycling Success

Auckland’s popular cycleway, Te Ara I Whiti, also known as The Lightpath, marked its significant milestone with a 10th anniversary celebration on December 3, 2023. The cycleway recorded an impressive 240,000 cycling trips in the past year, contributing to nearly two million trips since its inception a decade ago. Renowned for its vibrant design and artistic features, Te Ara I Whiti stands out not only as a cycling route but also as a cultural landmark in the heart of Auckland.

Celebrating a Decade of Innovation

Councillor Shane Henderson, deputy chair of the transport, resilience, and infrastructure delivery committee, expressed pride in the cycleway’s success. He remarked, “Te Ara I Whiti is a great example of the council seeing an infrastructure conundrum and turning it into a triumph.” He emphasized the importance of innovative transport solutions that encourage diverse modes of movement around the city.

With such high usage, plans are underway to refresh the cycleway, a testament to its popularity and the growing interest in cycling in Auckland. “It’s a good problem to have,” Henderson added, reflecting on the path’s impact and the city’s evolving transport landscape.

Te Ara I Whiti, which begins at Upper Queen Street and crosses the motorway, utilizes a former motorway off-ramp to create a vital connection within Auckland’s expanding cycling network.

Art Meets Functionality

Tania Loveridge, head of active modes at Auckland Transport, highlighted the cycleway’s significance in promoting cycling culture. “There have been thousands of images shared globally since it opened a decade ago,” she stated, acknowledging how the transformation of the disused infrastructure has become essential to the city centre’s cycling framework.

Loveridge noted that research indicates the importance of safe, protected cycling infrastructure, which has led to an average growth of five percent in cycling numbers over the past three years. The council aims to deliver over 15 kilometers of additional safe cycling routes by June next year, further enhancing Auckland’s cycling appeal.

To celebrate its anniversary, Te Ara I Whiti is currently showcasing a special artistic installation titled “Symphony in Space,” created by Matthew Tucker in collaboration with Māpura Studios and supported by Auckland Council Public Art. This piece pays homage to the International Day of People with Disabilities, which coincides with the cycleway’s anniversary.

“Imagining the pathway lights as a large-scale piano and then ascribing each one a constellation, Tucker created light patterns,” explained Emily Trent, head of arts and culture at Auckland Council. The installation features light shows that align with other iconic Auckland landmarks, including the Vector Lights on the Harbour Bridge.

“Symphony in Space” will be displayed on the light path until December 7 from 20:00 to 06:00, offering both a visual and sensory experience to cyclists and pedestrians alike.

As Auckland continues to enhance its cycling infrastructure, the legacy of Te Ara I Whiti is likely to inspire further initiatives that prioritize connectivity and creativity within urban transportation.