The Māngere West Cycling Improvements (MWCI) project is all about making it easier and safer to get around by bike – whether it's for work, school, Auckland Airport, heading to the local town centre or to nearby areas.
It links Ngā Hau Māngere Bridge with Māngere Town Centre and connects to the existing shared path to the airport along George Bolt Memorial Drive via:
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traffic calming along quieter back streets in Māngere Bridge
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a protected two-way cycleway on busier streets heading south towards Māngere Town Centre
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improvements to pedestrian crossings and bus stops.
Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina says, “Māngere is a unique, vibrant and fast-growing community. The rapid growth in housing and employment in Māngere makes it a high-priority community for transport investment. The area requires better-connected routes to improve access to the Airport, which can only be achieved by offering a wider range of transportation options for how people can get to it.”
Following a 2020 consultation, the community expressed a desire for more involvement in shaping improvements. In 2022, AT hosted forums with residents, businesses, mana whenua, and community groups to align their input with AT's goals. These sessions led to a preferred route and design, followed by public consultation on the revised plans in late 2023.
Overall, the feedback on the proposed cycle improvements was positive, where 52% strongly agreed / agreed that they would use the proposed cycleway once it is built and over 60% of the respondents agreed that the proposed cycleway would make it easier and safer for people.
AT have praised the boards efforts and passion for safe, accessible transport has been a driving force behind these projects.
Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich adds, “Big changes are happening across wider Māngere. Construction of a brand-new shared path through Māngere Centre Park is nearly complete. By December, it will seamlessly link Robertson Road cycleway to the shared path in Moyle Park, which connects directly to Bader Drive.
“Early next year, Auckland Transport will consult on walking and cycling improvements in the Favona area as part of creating a fully connected network.
“The bigger picture? Safer, healthier, and more accessible walking and cycling routes that link Māngere to Ōtāhuhu, Onehunga, Middlemore Hospital, the Airport, and beyond. Together, we’re building a future where active, sustainable travel is at the heart of a vibrant, connected Māngere. It’s exciting to see this vision taking shape.”
Most of the proposed route features a separate cycleway to protect cyclists from traffic. Suggested secure bike parking locations include areas around Māngere Bridge Village and Māngere Town Centre, with further improvements planned near the Māngere Mountain Education Centre and Māngere Bridge School.
Artist impression of the new signalised crossing between the motorway onramp roundabout and the petrol station on McKenzie Road.
MWCI is the final part of the Short-term Airport Access Improvements programme, developed and funded by Auckland Transport (AT) and Waka Kotahi. This programme has already delivered the early construction of Puhinui Station, and bus priority lanes on Lambie Drive, Manukau and Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe.
Construction is set to commence in late summer 2025.
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