Auckland Gears Up for Bike the Bridge

Media Release
14 October 2014

There is just over a month to go before the start of the country’s second biggest cycling event and thousands of New Zealanders are gearing up for one of Auckland’s biggest sporting occasions, along with the organisers of this year’s MS Bike the Bridge.

This is no ordinary event: for starters it’s one of only three occasions (the ASB Auckland Marathon and IRONMAN 70.3 Auckland being the other two) that allows non-vehicular access across the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge and requires over 100 buses to act as a buffer to protect the cyclists from oncoming traffic.

If that doesn’t stop observers in their tracks, just imagine the organisation behind getting those buses and their drivers in place before 4.30am on the morning of the event. The first driver has to be in place at 11.30pm the night before, resulting in five hours of pure logistical precision.

“Many people have been interested and tried to promote a cycling event over the Harbour Bridge previously. After a number of knock backs, the catalyst for the green light was the charter of the new Auckland Super City and with it a desire to become a destination – the world’s most liveable city,” said Bike the Bridge organiser Callum McNair.

“Once interest was shown we looked at a number of options to deliver an event that ticked as many boxes as possible – from compliance issues, safety, enjoyment and delivering an experience. The result is Bike the Bridge.

“A significant challenge to overcome was the requirement to deliver a barrier system that could be stretched for 3.1km of motorway and bridge, that could be installed and dismantled quickly and that would be robust enough to provide protection for bikes against cars. After much thought, Ritchies Coachlines came to the party with a ‘wall’ of 100 buses parked nose to tail,” he explained.

Then there are the 300-plus volunteers marshaling cyclists of all ages over a total of 180km on five different courses, that not only include the iconic bridge, but also the Northern Busway, Constellation Drive, Albany Highway and North Harbour’s QBE Stadium.

This mammoth effort includes 14 community groups contributing over 1,500 volunteer hours managed by six event managers and overseen by a Volunteer Manager. “Along with the ASB Auckland Marathon, we offer a completely different approach to volunteering as the event makes a contribution to each community group of up to $4,000,” stated Volunteer Manager Murray Vaile.

“Not only is it a valuable way to generate funds for vital community projects, it’s also a great deal of fun. The volunteers respond really well to the cyclists, chivvying them along the course as well as keeping a close eye on their safety.

“The volunteer’s job is to specifically look after the welfare of the cyclists and in theory they have no responsibilities for looking after traffic. Of course, the reality is sometimes you have let the traffic know they don’t have right of way!” he admitted.

The event is in its third year, a first outing under the banner of the Telstraclear Challenge in 2011 and then subsequently as MS Bike the Bridge in 2013. The event has raised over $170,000 for Multiple Sclerosis to date.

MS Bike the Bridge takes place on Sunday 16 November, with courses of 105km, 50km and 20km all featuring the unique experience of riding over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and finishing at the QBE Stadium.

Primary and intermediate aged children can ride in the Travelwise Kids Challenge which includes distances of 1km, 2km and 6km, and toddlers can join in too on their own dedicated track inside the safe confines of the stadium oval.

Anyone can take part: to enter go to www.bikethebridge.co.nz.

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