Are New Zealanders ‘sick and tired’ of spending on cycleways? Not according to this survey
- Written by Sam Crawley, Teaching Fellow, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Many more New Zealanders now choose to get around by bike than a few years ago. A Ministry of Transport survey reports 36% of people say they have cycled in the past 12 months[1], and Christchurch City Council tracking shows bike journeys are up nearly 40%[2] over the past few years.
Councils across the country have responded to this change by building more bike lanes, as anyone who lives in a larger city will have noticed.
But the increase in cycleways is not without its detractors. All three parties in the governing coalition were critical of spending on cycleways[3] before the 2023 election, arguing money should instead be spent on improving roads. NZ First’s manifesto[4] went the furthest, promising “not one more cent on […] new cycle lanes”.
The recently released National Land Transport Programme[5] gave effect to those promises. Funding for existing cycleways was cut in half and no money was made available for new cycleway projects.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown justified these changes[6], in part, by claiming “New Zealanders are sick and tired of the amount of money going into cycleways”. But the picture of public support for cycleways is much more complex than the minister suggests.
Even split on cycleways
The most recent New Zealand Election Study[7], conducted after the 2023 election, included a question asking participants how much they agreed or disagreed with the statement “There should be more bicycle lanes on roads”.
The study is a representative sample of nearly 2,000 eligible voters, and provides a reliable picture of New Zealanders’ political views.
As the graph below shows, New Zealanders are evenly split on their support for cycleways: 39% would like more bike lanes, while 39% do not want them. Among those opposed to more bike lanes, however, most are strongly (rather than somewhat) opposed.
For or against cycleway investment
Survey participants were asked how much they agreed or disagreed with the statement: There should be more bicycle lanes on roads.
Author provided. Data source: NZES (2023), CC BY[9]
Cycles and culture wars
There are many arguments made for and against cycleways. Supporters argue they reduce cyclist injuries, that active commuting has physical and health benefits, decreases emissions[10], and can reduce congestion[11]. Opponents argue they create traffic hazards for motor vehicles and hurt businesses and local residents[12] by reducing space for car parking.
