The Herald points out that the obvious way to mark the 50 year anniversary of the Harbour Bridge is to let people walk across it. I agree. After all they let people run across it for the Auckland Marathon, so what is the big deal?
But they scorn the efforts of the GetAcross campaign.
The “Getacross Campaign” is planning to mark the anniversary with an unauthorised march and cycle crossing of the bridge on Sunday, May 24. It believes that a big turnout will help its case for walking and cycle ways to be added to the bridge’s flanks. It would prove nothing of the kind.
And John Roughan must have written it:
The organisers say they will not be celebrating the bridge’s presence as they see it as a barrier to reducing Aucklanders’ reliance on cars. Buses, of course, have been using the bridge for as long as cars.The amenity cannot be blamed for the fact that most people plainly prefer the convenience and independence of personal transport.
Actually most people don’t have any choice but to use their car. The protest march is about promoting choice – the freedom to walk or bike around Auckland should be a basic right. Get on your boots! See you there, Sunday 24th May, 9:00am at Pt Erin.
3 thoughts on “Herald Editorial on Bridge Anniversary”
I think that should be 24th of May rather than March.
Quite right, May.
Yeah the silly thing is that the GetAcross protest now has got some huge exposure that wouldn’t have been possible without this stupidly scornful editorial.
I do kind of hope NZTA changes their mind and opens the bridge formally on the 30th, but I will certainly be there on the 24th. I only live around the corner so it’ll be a pretty short walk down. My Mum walked the bridge on its opening day so I would be continuing the family tradition.
I assume we’ll be on the northbound clip-on? Bit of a shame as the southbound clip-ons would have the better view. I’m looking forward to taking a good number of photos though!