An online petition has been launched in an effort to have a ‘no cycling' sign removed from Pilot Bay in Mount Maunganui.
Aimed at Tauranga City Council, via the Change.org website, the appeal makes the case for Pilot Bay to be returned to 'a beautiful shared environment that all can enjoy”.
Jo Wills has launched an online petition to have a ‘no cycling' sign removed from Mount Maunganui's Pilot Bay. Photo: Change.org
Under the heading 'Creating a community that shares outdoor spaces,” the petition, posted by Jo Wills of Mount Maunganui, currently has 32 supporters, with an initial target of 100.
The accompanying post on Change.org's website says: 'Pilot Bay is a beautiful community space, now made more accessible to all members of the community by the boardwalk...or at least that's if you're not riding a bike.
'The area has long since attracted families on leisurely weekend rides because it's a safer environment to be on a bike than the congested Mall.
'It's always been a mixed use space, until recently when a ‘no cycling' sign went up. I would like to be a part of a community that shares spaces with respect and compassion, not one that has signs up saying what we can and can't do.
'This is a petition to get that ‘no cycling' sign taken down and replaced with something that says ‘share with care' so we can all use that space.
'This requires everyone, walkers, runners, cyclists, people pushing prams to take a second or two to remember that sharing and respecting each other is what makes a community.”
So far, over a dozen messages have been posted on the web page – most of which are in support of the sign's removal.
One such post, from Lania Lopez, says: 'I believe a shared place is a better place,” while Natalie Eady asks: 'Will there be a no children sign next? Biking is one of the best things about living in the flat Mount Maunganui. Who are we trying to protect here?”
When contacted by SunLive, Tauranga City Council admitted they were not aware of the petition, but would respond in due course once the web page had been looked at.
23 comments
Overit
Posted on 14-08-2015 16:20 | By overit
I am a cyclist and dont see the need to use this boardwalk, leave it to the walkers and 'cruise tourists'. I can see problems developing and we seem to get bad publicity already.
Cyclists should use the road
Posted on 14-08-2015 16:45 | By Taffy
it,s only a 30k limit right round Pilot Bay and onto Marine parade. Leave the boardwalk for what it should be used for IE people walking. TCC finally got something correct.
Tell jo
Posted on 14-08-2015 18:30 | By Capt_Kaveman
take a hike its a walkway and thats it, go cycle elsewhere there are plenty of other places
It not a board cycleway
Posted on 14-08-2015 20:05 | By Johnney
What don't they get. The boardwalk is designed for pedestrians, not bikes. I bike all the time down the Mt and happy to cycle on the road. Next thing we have rat bags that don't give a toss hooning along the boardwalk on their BMX because they are allowed to. Have enough problems with dogs in this dog free zone. Tell this Jo to get on their bike and stick to the road.
unbelievable
Posted on 14-08-2015 20:06 | By usandthem
I can't believe that someone would set up a petition to use the boardwalk for cyclists.Whats wrong with using the road like every other cyclist? You can't walk or push a stroller on the road,thats what the boardwalk is for. some people are never satisfied with what they've got.
free for all to use
Posted on 14-08-2015 20:08 | By Surfwatch
Pilot Bay road was made too narrow. There is no room for cyclists, and for a car to pass with an oncoming vehicle coming the other way. I biked down the boardwalk, and you know what I found annoying, groups waling five abreast. Even people walking the other way had to get off the track. Mind you it was easy for me to move on the grass.
Keep these cretans off the walkways
Posted on 14-08-2015 20:32 | By ROCCO
Cyclists with their arrogance for both Pedestrians and motorists should go get knotted.Try riding on the water their attitude gives one the impression they believe they can.@Taffy is quite right speed limit in the area is only 30km so not to much risk although in saying that have seen cyclists doing over 50km along The Mall at times.
Overit
Posted on 14-08-2015 21:16 | By Bop man
I'm with you on this one, I am also a cyclist and also think this board walk should stay as is and be for walking. We have plenty of awesome cycling tracks in the bay this is not needed
We cyclist have eought
Posted on 14-08-2015 21:37 | By Bruce G
As a cyclist, we have a hugh amount of cycling shared pathways. Leave some pathways for the walkers.
Keep bikes off
Posted on 14-08-2015 21:42 | By audidoou
Keep the boardwalk bicycle free. Allowing bicycles on the boardwalk is bizarre and totally unnecessary which would result in people getting hurt. For once the Council has got it right.
Overit
Posted on 15-08-2015 00:04 | By How about this view!
"we seem to get bad publicity already." I wonder why? This story just about sums up the attitude of SOME cyclists. "It's all about me and stuff you! I'll just keep my head down and ignore the rest of the world."
Be Fair
Posted on 15-08-2015 08:48 | By FunandGames
I personally think there are to many rules, but Pilot Bay can get far to congested without adding bikes to the walkway.
Fantastic News
Posted on 15-08-2015 12:17 | By Towball
At last a hand full of lycra lovers displaying logic that I thought was far beyond them . First time I have anything positive to say about them . Congratulations . Keep at least 500mtrs of the Bay cycle free.
Rusty Kane
Posted on 15-08-2015 14:44 | By Rusty Kane
Sure both the Pilot Bay and Marine Parade boardwalks should be allowed to have bikes .. Just not ridden .. only walked while on it .. That way everyone is able to enjoy the boardwalks ..
cyclists
Posted on 15-08-2015 16:26 | By NZgirl
Use the road like the law says
@towball
Posted on 15-08-2015 17:53 | By Bop man
Just because we ride a bike does not mean we are Part of the Lycra wearing clan, just like not all truck drivers are over weight pie eating road hogs......
ON YA BIKE CYCLISTS
Posted on 15-08-2015 23:20 | By Colleen Spiro
JUST N.O.T. on the boardwalk.
Harbour Drive
Posted on 16-08-2015 12:52 | By wyllie
Harbour Drive is example of cyclists taking control - you have to dodge speeding cyclists and inconsiderate cyclists with wide wing mirrors that take up the whole width of the path when trying to walk toddlers or even yourself - despite there being a flat road next to the narrow concrete path with no traffic on it! There should be more paths allocated to pedestrians only.
It is shared by everyone now.
Posted on 16-08-2015 14:19 | By astex
The sign does NOT say no cyclists but states no cycling. You are free to push your bikes along it. Anyway it is a board"walk".
Walking only....
Posted on 20-08-2015 16:53 | By Ellajj
Totally agree. Spend enough time dodging cyclists. The road is a 30 km zone. Isn't the road going one-way soon? That'll free up some space for cyclists.
Dogs?
Posted on 22-08-2015 08:29 | By Ellajj
I would like to be a part of a community that shares spaces with respect and compassion, not one that has signs up saying what we can and can't do. ........ What about the no dog sign? Dogs on leashes would like to be part of this community too?
If the cyclist
Posted on 22-08-2015 09:04 | By s83cruiser
get to use the boardwalk will if follow that I can ride it on my motorbike??? Well why not I have rights too you know. Cyclist just want to be everywhere at any time....well no they can't.. the city does not revolve around pushbike riders...much as they like to think it should.
Wow
Posted on 28-08-2015 04:18 | By Kenworthlogger
"So far, over a dozen messages have been posted on the web page
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