Bikes take over Auckland Harbour Bridge

Thousands of keen cyclists lined up from 6am to do the various one-way route north or south or 22km round trip. Photo: @WhatWudGraceDo / Twitter

Cars were ditched in favour of bikes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this morning as the annual Bike The Bridge event took off.

Thousands of keen cyclists lined up from 6am to do the various one-way route north or south or 22km round trip.

Families also had the option of riding the 4km loop.

Participants were riding either the 22km round trip or one-way route north or south. There was also an option of doing the 4km family loop.

Such an awesome morning with these ladies doing #BiketheBridgeNZ !! pic.twitter.com/nSlsdxDzY1

— Grace Maguire (@WhatWudGraceDo) November 12, 2016

The full ride started and finished at Smales Farm on the North Shore, heading across the bridge to Harbour Park in Westhaven and back.

Motorists were also warned to expect delays as the event began from 6am with most of the bridge lanes being blocked off.

Several cyclists took to twitter to post pictures of the event.

Katherine Badham posted, Ready to roll out! @BiketheBridgeNZ @MercuryNZ @SkodaNZ @MultipleScelorsisAkl #BiketheBridgeNZ

Ready to roll out! @BiketheBridgeNZ @MercuryNZ @SkodaNZ @MultipleScelorsisAkl #BiketheBridgeNZ pic.twitter.com/FZPFXXeAoo

— Katherine Badham (@katherinebadham) November 12, 2016

Sara Winther posted, Bit of a cruise this morning on the MTB for the #BiketheBridgeNZ thanks @SkodaNZ for coffee! #ms @Kiwivelo