$14.6m for city cycleways

Plans to help establish cycling as an integral part of the Western Bay of Plenty's transport network have received a welcome $14.6 million boost.

Transportation Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges announced yesterday the funding injection will go towards completing the remaining sections of the Tauranga cycle network, and developing the proposed Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, following New Zealand Transport Agency and council approvals.


Transportation Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says there are multiple benefits to cycling. Photo: File

It's part of 41 nationwide projects that will receive funding under the Urban Cycleways Programme.

'The Government's $100 million Urban Cycleways Fund is designed to pull together a range of funding sources, and will result in a total investment in urban cycleways of $333 million over the four-year programme.”

The Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway and Tauranga urban cycle network connections will be accelerated with funding from the Urban Cycleways Programme, says Simon.

An issue the community has been talking to him about for quite some time, so it's great to get it across the line, he adds.

"The Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway will receive $1.5 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, along with $2.4 million from the National Land Transport Fund and $3.8 million from local government, including development contributions.

"Tauranga urban cycle network connections will receive $2.3 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, $710,000 from the National Land Transport Fund and $3.9 million from local government.

Simon says it's going to make cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice, with the added bonus of it having multiple benefits such as its social aspect, tourism benefits, and health and well-being.

'It's tremendous news for Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty with the $14.6m going towards some really exciting projects in the CBD and of course out to Omokoroa as well.

'It's hard to see what's not to like.”

NZTA, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council welcome the funding announcement, saying it will take the sub-region's total cycle spend up to an estimated $15 million over the next decade, and help establish cycling as an integral part of the transport network.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says the funding announcement is a positive step that will support all three organisations to jointly fast-track the delivery of high quality cycling facilities across the sub-region.

'Tauranga City Council's focus for the next three years is on completing the final 60km of the city's urban cycleway network, which links the city with schools, suburbs and key employment areas.

'This will involve completing the missing links on 10 key commuter routes and installing cycle lanes and off-road facilities.

Council will also be improving intersection safety, bike parking and route signage, and building two overbridges – one over Route K and one connecting the Lakes Development to the Tauriko Business Estate.

'The Urban Cycleways programme and Transport Agency's funding support, Western Bay District Council's commitment and the overwhelming support from the Tauranga community means we will also be able to participate in connecting Omokoroa to Tauranga through a 16km long scenic cycleway.

'It's really exciting for all our communities.”

Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson says Western Bay residents sent a strong message through the Long Term Plan that they support investment in cycleways in the district.

He believes this investment will bring substantial benefits from tourism spending, as well as health and recreation benefits to the communities

'Working in partnership with other agencies is a positive thing as it maximises the value from every dollar the funders provide.”

NZTA's Waikato Bay of Plenty regional director Harry Wilson says making cycling a safer and more attractive transport option is a key priority for the NZTA.

'There has been a surge of interest in cycling and cycling safety in New Zealand and we want to support and encourage this,” says Harry.

'Getting more New Zealanders cycling will relieve congestion during peak travel times, connect people with a greater range of employment, education and social opportunities and contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future for our transport network.”

He says the funding boost is great news that will help fast track facilities designed to encourage even more people to get on their bike and travel around the region.

Harry says NZTA will partner with local authorities to accelerate the delivery of cycling networks and was also working to improve safety, and perceptions of safety, for cyclists.

'This includes safer networks in all main urban centres, improving attitudes towards cycling, and building mutual respect between cyclists and other road users.”

The Transport Agency anticipates the total investment in cycling in New Zealand over the next three years will be around $380 million to $400 million, delivering more than 250km of new urban cycleways and greater network connectivity.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is delighted locals will enjoy more cycleways sooner than previously planned thanks to $14.61 million of funding from the $333 million Urban Cycleways Programme.

'The accelerated completion of the Tauranga Urban cycle network and the Omokoroa – Tauranga City cycleway is a big win for our community and all our local residents who have campaigned hard for it,” says Todd.

'As a young boy I cycled around Omokoroa and Te Puna and I know many children and their families will get a lot of enjoyment out of this cycleway”.

'I want to recognise Kevin Kerr, Phil Simpson, Jan Booysen and the Tauranga Roundtable who have been instrumental in advocating for the Omokoroa – Tauranga City cycleway to be built.”

Projects to be accelerated:

Project

Urban Cycleways Fund

National Land Transport Fund

Local Government

Omokoroa to Tauranga

$1.5m

$2.4m

$3.8m

Tauranga urban cycle network connections

$2.3m

$710,000

$3.9m

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22 comments

renegade

Posted on 26-06-2015 10:54 | By wazzock

good news...shame the minister of transport is breaking the law


What a STUPID waste of money

Posted on 26-06-2015 11:13 | By How about this view!

Over $300 Million nationally wasted on cycleways instead of the real issues. Let's all hope that the rich get richer! Because someone has got to fund this nonsense and all of the other free money given away on feel good projects. Just a political device to keep the watermelons quite for a week or two. How many hospital beds and operations would that money fund?


Overit

Posted on 26-06-2015 11:18 | By overit

This is just awesome. Thank you so much National, it will have some many benefits. Fitness, general health, safe training facility, tourist dollars, something to get kids off the computer, pack a lunch and go!


wazzock is right but

Posted on 26-06-2015 11:30 | By Murray.Guy

Wazzock is right but we recognise it was for a photo shoot. The injection of funding is very welcomed but lets not get too carried away, this is NOT about students biking to school. Hopefully not too much will be cobbled up by consultants, and will be accompanied with a law change that requires cyclists to use off-road safe options where provided. Hopefully consultation design and location processes will NOT be dominated by the recreational racer that all to often has little regard for other users, commuters, and even less for the environment at times.


Spend ups

Posted on 26-06-2015 11:54 | By YOGI BEAR

So the Government is getting in on the madness as well as TCC and others. This is like a piranha attack on ratepayers, all in a frenzy mode full noise unti nothing is left.


taxpayer money

Posted on 26-06-2015 13:39 | By Captain Sensible

Meanwhile the Wellington MRI Scan machine ...the one that has been broken down 17 times....needs to be replaced... but apparently saving the lives of the country's taxpayers is not that high on the list.


Captain Sensible

Posted on 26-06-2015 14:13 | By YOGI BEAR

Spending is more important than life saving anything ...


Message to TCC

Posted on 26-06-2015 14:18 | By YOGI BEAR

take the money and reduce debt ... stress and grossly exorbitant rates do way more harm to peoples life than a cycle way would benefit anything.


Murray Guy and bicycles

Posted on 26-06-2015 16:02 | By Councillorwatch

What is it with Murray Guy and bicycles? Murray, you might be a petrolhead and a keen saloon car racer, but how about giving cyclists a chance. I don't know how you can seriously suggest recreational racers (cyclists) sometimes have little regard for the environment and then go out and drive a racing car yourself?? Please explain how bike riding negatively impacts the environment compared to petrol driven cars let alone car racing as a "sport"? Surely it's negligible?


Pete

Posted on 26-06-2015 18:34 | By Pete KELLY

Great news, now to get kids outa Pajeros and the like & onto push-bikes.Not easy as lot of kids these days are fat & lazy Computer Nerds, not their fault but their parents!!


Councillorwatch...........

Posted on 26-06-2015 18:45 | By groutby

I'm taking a stab at this one, but my pick is that Murray pays handsomely to do what he does in a controlled and appropriate environment, and cyclists do not pay a razoo in lieu of any of "our" taxpayers money being spent on these cycleways, which to be fair will be little used if a footpath is available and not policed as is the case. Am I close?


NOT A GOOD LOOK

Posted on 26-06-2015 19:58 | By CONDOR

C'mon guys this is the Minister of Transport riding on a pedestrians only narrow footpath yet the Matapihi cycle way is just across the road. He is not appropriately dressed for cycling either and I trust he didn't peddle across the nearby pedestrian X.


Overit

Posted on 26-06-2015 20:17 | By overit

I suggest the Knockers get their hands on the Autumn edition of the AA Directions magazine and read the Modern Life Mobility article. Along with some very interesting reading, is a wee gem-"whether its Portland,Melbourne or London, one of the biggest growth areas in alternative urban transport is cycling".


Councillorwatch

Posted on 26-06-2015 23:23 | By Murray.Guy

I race on a track, NOT on the roads, and certainly not through our critic


Totally Agree with Murray Guy

Posted on 26-06-2015 23:24 | By The Caveman

If there is an off-road, cycle lane, then cyclist MUST be legally required to use them. Why spend MILLIONS on cycle routs/lanes if there is no requirement to use them.


NZTA Priorities and words conflict

Posted on 27-06-2015 10:01 | By Murray.Guy

I'm struggling to accept the validity of the NZTA comments when we have the recently completed 'Lakes highway extension through to Pyes Pa Road' and Route K toll Road with NOT effort on the part of the NZTA to utilise the extensive off highway safe cycling opportunities available, and now we have the $455 million Eastern Arterial that fails to deliver a continuous off-highway safe cycling facility? If I read correctly the NZTA will assist the recreational racers bulldoze our critical Papamoa dunes for their pleasure, smother rocks and concrete on the harbour foreshore environment with a $12 million plus price tag for a 990m cycleway (6th Ave to 1st Avenue).


Oh come on Murray Guy, really?

Posted on 27-06-2015 13:31 | By Councillorwatch

it's hard to accept your concern for the environment and the possible intrusion into some sand dunes of a cycling and walking path, with what some see as a disregard for the environment by motor sports activities which burn fossil fuels for pleasure??? Why didn't you object to Baypark Speedway being built? It's built over a natural wetland isn't it? Or is the environment something to be trotted out when it suits?


Yes really Councillorwatch

Posted on 28-06-2015 10:50 | By Murray.Guy

The speedway was built over farmland, swampy farmland which TCC had acquired for waste water purposes. Hardly pristine wetlands. It was offered back to the previous owners who said 'no thanks'. Councillorwatch, you really need to get help. As for my concerns in regards abuse of the critical dune structures, check this video out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSrbIx4ff34


Councillorwatch

Posted on 03-07-2015 14:10 | By YOGI BEAR

You are perfectly correct there. You need to allow for Murray's bias and self indulgence here, he is a motorsport nut so anything critical here will be attacked feverishly. It is the fumes you know, they do something to the way of thinking, the view and perception of a thing.


Murray

Posted on 06-07-2015 17:46 | By YOGI BEAR

You have gone silent, is the heat in the kitchen to much for you? Maybe you are suffering from the same illnesses? Steve-itis? better described as stunned mullet syndrome, or muffled to the point of silence.


Or flushed ...

Posted on 12-07-2015 13:55 | By Murray.Guy

You need to allow for Murray's bias and self indulgence here, he is a motorsport nut so anything critical here will be attacked feverishly ... or flushed. In the case of Councillorwatch and to a lesser degree, Yogi, attacked aren't required, just a good flush. I confess I am at a loss as to what I'm supposed to have gone quiet about. Why throw 'pearls to swine', they know not the difference?


2 weeks?

Posted on 14-07-2015 11:16 | By YOGI BEAR

You are not here, I guess you are busy with Robin Bell on the other page, single task situation.


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