The Brooklyn Road Uphill Cycleway is a separated bike and e-scooter lane running from Nairn Street up Brooklyn Road to the Ohiro Road intersection, giving cyclists a safer dedicated route to climb one of Wellington’s steepest commuter corridors. Part of Wellington City Council’s Paneke Pōneke 10-year bike network plan, it connects central Wellington directly to the Brooklyn suburb — a climb that was previously a mix of traffic and narrow footpaths.
Practical Information
| Location | Brooklyn Road, Wellington (Nairn St to Ohiro Rd) |
|---|---|
| Distance | Approx. 1.5 km one-way (uphill lane) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging — sustained climb |
| Direction | Uphill lane only; downhill via shared on-road route to Aro Street |
| Surface | Sealed, with concrete buffer protection |
| Access | Bottom of Nairn Street, central Wellington |
| Cost | Free |
| E-scooters | Permitted in the separated lane |
About the Cycleway
Brooklyn Road is one of the steeper routes out of central Wellington, and for years cyclists had to mix with buses and cars on a narrow, fast road. A temporary pop-up uphill bike lane was trialled from mid-2021, funded at 90% by Waka Kotahi’s Innovating Streets Programme. The trial demonstrated clear demand, and Wellington City Council approved a permanent design in late 2023 following community consultation.
The permanent design uses a street-level bike lane with concrete buffers from lower Nairn Street to the top of Nairn Street, then transitions to a raised footpath-height lane with a wide kerb all the way past the Ohiro Road intersection. Waka Kotahi’s Transport Choices fund covers 51% of construction costs. The project also adds seven new raised pedestrian crossings along the corridor and extends the 30 km/h zone through the area.
The lane is uphill only. Cyclists heading back into the city use a downhill shared on-road bike route via Aro Street, keeping uphill and downhill traffic separated for safety.
The Paneke Pōneke Network
The Brooklyn Road Cycleway is one piece of Wellington’s broader Paneke Pōneke bike network — a 10-year plan to build a connected, safe cycling network across the city. The Brooklyn route connects to the Aro Valley cycleway, which extends further toward Karori, Highbury and Kelburn, creating a growing web of routes from Wellington’s western suburbs into the central city.
The improvements on Brooklyn Road don’t stop at cycling. Bus stops along the route are being upgraded, pedestrian crossings raised, and the extended 30 km/h zone applies to all users — making the corridor safer for everyone travelling up and down the hill.
What Visitors Say
“The pop-up lane up Brooklyn Road made a real difference — finally a way to get up without getting squeezed by buses.” — Wellington cyclist, Wellington.Scoop comments
Where to Learn More
Brooklyn Connections — WCC Transport Projects covers the full scope of the permanent improvements, including the cycleway design, pedestrian crossings and bus upgrades.
Paneke Pōneke Bike Network Plan — Wellington City Council sets out the citywide cycling strategy that the Brooklyn Road route is part of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brooklyn Road Cycleway open?
Yes. The separated uphill lane was trialled from 2021 and made permanent following council approval in 2023.
Can I ride downhill on it too?
No — the lane is uphill only. The downhill route from Brooklyn uses a shared on-road bike lane via Aro Street back to central Wellington.
Are e-scooters allowed?
Yes, the separated lane is open to both cyclists and e-scooter riders.
How steep is the climb?
Brooklyn Road is a sustained uphill — expect a moderate to challenging climb depending on your fitness. The route is popular with commuter cyclists and those on e-bikes.
Where does the route connect to?
At the top, the cycleway connects to Ohiro Road and links onward toward Brooklyn. At the bottom it joins the city cycling network via Nairn Street.
Is there parking at the start?
The cycleway starts in central Wellington — most riders access it on foot or from other parts of the city cycling network.
The Brooklyn Road Uphill Cycleway is part of the cycling tracks in Wellington network. Also nearby: the Aro Valley Cycleway extends the route toward Karori, and the Island Bay Cycleway heads south through The Parade.