Abstract

This is an accepted article with a DOI pre-assigned that is not yet published.

As part of a 2023 project aimed to reduce barriers to cycling for disabled and mobility impaired people, Bike Auckland contracted Grab Your Wheels, Let’s Travel to audit the accessibility and inclusivity of a sample of infrastructure in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s cycling network. The audit team identified several access barriers across various infrastructure types, including:

• difficulty accessing the pathways;

• lack of accessible facilities;

• Sharp corners combined with cambers;

• Inconsistent Cycleway design;

• Lack of gradient signage; and

• Insufficient width.

It was found that, in general, newer cycling infrastructure scored better for accessibility across bike types, while older paths were less accessible across bike types.

The audit team consisted of disabled and mobility impaired cyclists, who audited 50km of cycle network in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland using their various bike types. As experts in their own access and inclusion needs, the auditors feedback was captured and collated into the Inclusive Cycling Report 2023.

This Report and the associated Draft Accessible Cycling Infrastructure Design Guidance Note was used by cycle advocates and transport industry professionals to increase understanding of infrastructure barriers for disabled cyclists, resulting in some specifically identified access barriers on the cycle network being resolved.

Keywords

Aotearoa New Zealand, inclusive cycling, inclusion and access audit, cycling infrastructure, mobility, sustainable transport, social inclusion, wellbeing