Tauranga City Council candidates are being asked which way they spin when it comes to cycleway and walkway facilities on offer to tourists and residents alike around the district.

Local resident Chris Ingram says cycling is taking the world by storm, with multi-stage events drawing thousands of visitors to towns and cities around the globe.

Chris Ingram on a precarious crossing for walkers and cyclists over the Kopurereua Stream beside the Takitimu causeway. Photo: Chris Callinan.

But not here in Tauranga – the city doesn't even get a mention of top 50 cycle tracks in New Zealand despite being a tourist mecca in its own right.

'I counted up to 68 in the AA Traveller NZ's ‘101 New Zealand Cycling Trails Must-Do's' with zero mention of our district. Zilch.

'From that we can say that Tauranga City Council has lagged behind in the provision of cycleway and walkways,” says Chris.

He's representing local cyclists and walkers by sending a questionnaire to all Tauranga City Council candidates asking them to share their vision – and how they would enhance the city in this important area – if elected.

Chris says currently, all Tauranga can offer is a mishmash maze of trails and alleys with no directions nor distances, locked gates, unclear access and out-of-date-maps.

'The trails are rendered unsafe by busy roads to cross, hazardous roundabouts and traffic lights to negotiate. Too few have the safety gold standard for recreational trails of ‘separation from road traffic'.

Chris says the walkers and cyclists of Tauranga ultimately want the urban cycleway network to be extended and completed. 'Because there's still gates and difficult access and a lack of signs to say ‘cycle along here and you'll get to there'.

'A safe, well-marked network of community and recreational walking and cycling trails is urgently required – by students, commuters, healthful exercisers, the retired folk pouring into our city with electrics and pushbikes, plus tourists and weekend family bikers.”

And Tauranga's City's rapid population growth serves as more reason to increase and complete cycleways and walkways in the district.

And Chris says one hour down the road in Rotorua, a proactive city council has built a highly rated cycling facility and Taupo is building cycle trails 'like there is no tomorrow”.

And it is imperative for TCC to cooperate in creating a loop, which starts in Auckland, linking Miranda, Thames, Waihi Beach, Tauranga Whakatane, Opotiki, Rotorua, Taupo, returning to Auckland via Waikato River Trail.

'Our subtropical climate in the BOP is a big plus in our favour…making this loop usable for nine months in a year.

'Tourism is now bigger than dairy and providing a growing and valuable income for the BOP.

'Providing multi-day scenic and safe trails – as the rest of NZ is – will significantly increase this.”

But does Chris accept cycleways and walkways aren't at the top of the large list of high demand on council spending and planning?

'Certainly, the Tauranga City councillors run to a tight budget but with cooperation with WBOPDC and regional council and the Government there are funds available to achieve these things.

'We have a sympathetic Transport Minister in our Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, BOP MP Todd Muller and NZ First's Clayton Mitchell – who are all very supportive.”

So far Chris says he's received 'an overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response to the concept of recreation trails within the city” from candidates.

He expects to collate all replies today, September 23.