Cycle Path and Spaghetti Junction

This intersection is a cross section of the past, present, and future of transport in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Look out over the spaghetti of our motorway network - an engineering marvel, and enabler of economic growth. The movement of goods and cars came at the expense of the homes of 50,000 people, ploughing through the suburb of Newton which planners had described as a slum. The motorway provided a convenient reason to remove people and environments which politicians considered "undesirable".

Directing our attention north, beyond the asphalt lanes, we can see Karanga-a-Hape Station taking shape. One of two City Rail Link constructions in this area, the station will connect northern Uptown and Karangahape Road to thousands of people, and enable hundreds of homes.

We can see the pink coloured Auckland lightpath which repurposes disused car infrastructure and shows how modes of movement can also be places of interest. This connects to the Northwestern Cycle Path, which we see terminate immediately infront of us. The path is an excellent piece of infrastructure, allowing safe cycle travel through Uptown from most of the north-western communities. The Cycle Path sees a significant amount of travellers per-day of all ages, for commutes, exercise, or leisure, exemplifying that when people are given the option to cycle safely in the city, they will do it. Associated infrastructure, like the water fountain, show the additional amenities which cycle infrastructure can provide.

Still - there is some way to go. Consider how a cyclist who is travelling along the path might safely arrive at a friend's house on St Benedict's Street. The intersection of Ian Mackinnon Drive and Upper Queen Street continues to prioritise car movements, with no cycle or pedestrian crossing on the northern side of the intersection.

As you continue along the tour, consider how easy moving is made for you, and what detours walkers are required to make to accommodate other modes. Be careful when crossing the road here, there are wide corners from Alex Evans Street to speed, and pedestrians are not easily seen.