Auckland is cementing its reputation as the cycling capital of the South Pacific, with record numbers of people choosing two wheels over four as cycleway use continues to surge across the region.
New figures from Auckland Transport show cycling trips increased by 14.4 percent in May compared with the same month last year, following an even larger 20.3 percent jump in April. The latest data marks the highest number of cycling trips recorded in Auckland in more than a decade.
A total of 351,894 cycle movements were recorded during May 2026, significantly higher than the 307,581 recorded in May 2025 and well above previous annual totals stretching back to 2016.
The rapid growth is being driven by a combination of factors, including expanded cycling infrastructure, greater access to bicycles, rising transport costs and favourable weather conditions.
Auckland Transport says the city’s growing network of protected cycleways is making cycling a more attractive option for commuters and recreational riders alike. New and recently completed routes in Māngere West, Karanga-a-hape, Victoria Street, Great North Road and the Te Whau Pathway are already proving popular.
Major projects currently under construction, including Links to Glen Innes, Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai, Hobsonville connections and upgrades to Carrington Road, are expected to further boost cycling participation by creating safer and more connected routes across the city.
Access to bicycles is also playing a key role. Auckland Transport says nearly seven out of ten people would consider cycling if they had access to a bike. Community Bike Hubs are helping meet that demand, with visits increasing by 57 percent in May compared with the same time last year.
The city is also investing in bike skills and maintenance programmes aimed at encouraging new riders and building confidence among those returning to cycling.
Rising fuel costs may also be influencing travel choices, with Auckland Transport noting that more people are considering alternatives such as cycling, public transport and walking as household budgets come under pressure.
The long-term trend highlights a major shift in how Aucklanders are moving around the city. Between June 2025 and May 2026, more than 3.57 million cycling movements were recorded across 26 monitoring sites.
With new cycleways continuing to open and investment planned for areas including Kelston-New Lynn, Māngere East, Manukau, Onehunga, Takapuna and Glen Innes to Panmure, Auckland’s cycling boom shows little sign of slowing down.
For advocates of active transport, the message is simple — build safe cycling infrastructure and people will use it.
