Cycle lobby groups are urging the government to divert funding toward cycling infrastructure, citing concerns about a potential global energy crunch.
An open letter signed by 470 supporters, led by Cycle Action Network and Bike Auckland, is urging Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis, and Transport Minister Chris Bishop to prioritise policies that make it easier for people to travel without relying on cars.
The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, which advocates claim could disrupt fuel supplies.
The letter is asking for more pop-up bike lanes, faster delivery of current walking and cycling projects, and a halt to the Roads of National Significance (RONS) programme for now.
Bike Auckland co-chair Karen Hormann said the government needs to give local road authorities more freedom to act now, before the situation gets any worse.
“The government has no mandate to pass on fuel crisis costs to Kiwis while simultaneously blocking infrastructure that would provide a cheaper way to get around. We need safe, separated, and attractive conditions for active travel now,” Hormann said.
The group is also calling for urban speed limits to be reduced again and for rural speed limits to be capped at 80 km/h.
Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan said the means for car-free travel are already there, often sitting unused in people’s garages.
“Aotearoa is fortunate to have a fleet of over two million practical, fossil-fuel-free vehicles, bicycles and scooters already distributed across the country, ready to keep people moving and save households money, helping to lower the financial burden of fuel for when travel by car is still unavoidable. But to unlock this potential, the government must make the streets safe enough for people to actually use them,” Morgan said.
“We are encouraged by signs that the government may review the cost-benefit of some RONS projects. That investment must be used more effectively to resolve our dependence on overseas fossil fuels and keep Aotearoa moving.”
With billions already committed to major road upgrades, questions remain over whether redirecting funds toward cycling infrastructure would deliver meaningful benefits or simply shift resources away from projects that keep the country moving.