Mr Brown was photographed by a New Zealand Herald reader being interviewed on Carlton Gore Rd this morning. The car he travelled to the interview in is parked across a cycle lane.
It is an electric car with Auckland Council branding and is next to a recharge station. Photos clearly show the car was blocking most of a bike lane.
The Herald asked Mr Brown for an explanation and he an hour before responding, posted an "apology" on Twitter and Facebook.
"Out test driving one of our new EVs and refilling at a charging stations. Unable to park without impinging... #SorryCyclists," the post read.
Mr Brown refused to answer specific questions about the situation including whether he thought it was okay for people to block cycle lanes.
When asked for further comment on the matter, Mr Brown's spokesman Glyn Jones said: "The tweet and Facebook post answer all your questions. The test drive and refill of the EV was covered by media."
The post was met with incredulity on social media.
"If the mayor can park in a bike lane, then I can too right?" said a member of the Facebook group Bike lanes are for bikes.
Juliet Williams said: "Parking illegally and showcasing it isn't really a great call..."
"Just stopped at Manukau City for a burger. Can't be bothered looking for a park, briefly impinging on the disabled parking," Barry Morgan wrote.
Said Angus McGyver: "Leading by example I see. Find a park somewhere else! Bike lanes are for bikes."
"It's only safety involved. No worries. As long as you're ok," Bryce Pearce replied.
Others raised questions about the position of the filling station.
"Doesn't that demonstrate that the charging station has been placed without any consideration for the design of the rest of the road environment?" said James Fluker.
By Anna Leask of the New Zealand Herald
