Riding on Auckland streets with children is definitely not recommended. Traffic is heavy and drivers seem to be distracted and often ignorant of cyclists. Although there are a few roads in the Auckland metro area that have bicycle lanes, they are generally not considered safe for riding with kids. It seems as if the infrastructure to support urban cycling around Auckland is still in its infancy (as of 2007) and will take a while to implement. However, there are few areas along Auckland and the North Shore City waterfront that do offer relatively safe cycling for families with young children. These routes are dedicated bicycle paths, which are designed to be out of traffic's way and are described in detail here. More...
Riding on Auckland streets with children is definitely not recommended. Traffic is heavy and drivers seem to be distracted and often ignorant of cyclists. Although there are a few roads in the Auckland metro area that have bicycle lanes, they are generally not considered safe for riding with kids. It seems as if the infrastructure to support urban cycling around Auckland is still in its infancy (as of 2007) and will take a while to implement. However, there are few areas along Auckland and the North Shore City waterfront that do offer relatively safe cycling for families with young children. These routes are dedicated bicycle paths, which are designed to be out of traffic's way and are described in detail here. Less...
Cycling around Auckland is possible year round, but the best time to ride is late summer to mid-autumn when the weather is calmer and warmer. Less...
Climate and Weather
Although Auckland is not the windiest city in New Zealand, you can always count on breezy days. It is also called the "City of Sails" which implies there is always plenty of wind to set the sails to. The prevailing winds come from the Tasman Sea and are blowing west to east year round, unless they are influenced by La Nina, which will change the predominant winds to easterlies. The windiest season is in spring between September and November, while the calmest is in fall from March to May.
Generally the temperature in the Auckland region is mild enough to afford riding year round, and some of the best days for riding are in late summer to mid-autumn. Auckland's winter temperature during the day rarely drops below 10°C (50°F), and its summer temperature generally hovers around 22°C (72°F) - 27°C (81°F). Auckland can get humid in summer, especially if the winds blow from the north (from the tropics), but it is not too uncomfortable. Less...
