The New Zealand Transport Agency is denying cyclists are being ignored in the planning process for the looming Bayfair to Baypark reconstruction.

Facebook group Mount Bike is seeking support for a petition to prevent the destruction of the Matapihi underpass, which the group says will be demolished as part of the Bayfair to Baypark project.

NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty State Highways Manager, Niclas Johansson says the Bayfair section of the Bayfair to Baypark project will improve safety for all road users by removing the majority of heavy freight and commuter traffic from Maunganui Road to an overpass above.

The road below the overpass will give pedestrians, cyclists and other road users a safe option, says Niclas.

'There will be much less traffic on Maunganui Rd and there will be pedestrian lights to stop cars and other vehicles so people can cross.”

The final layout of the new intersection is still subject to detailed design.

NZTA has been dealing with local cycling group BikeNow which since October has been working alongside the NZTA National cycling team and the project team to provide input in to that final design.

'We look forward to continuing to work with BikeNow to make sure we have the best solution for all road users,” says Niclas.

The community and all road users have been asked for their input in to the current plans for the Bayfair to Baypark project regularly since 2011. There have been three public open days and several meetings held with stakeholders, businesses and the community. NZTA has heard many different views and it will continue to listen as the project progresses.

'Making urban cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice is one of the NZ Transport Agency's top priorities,” says Niclas. 'In Tauranga we want to make cycling a safer more reliable transport option so that more locals and visitors can choose to get about by bike.”

Meanwhile Bike Mount is seeking signatures for a petition to keep the underpass in business. They say demolishing the underpass will require pedestrians and cyclists to cross 9 lanes or 60 metres of traffic through multiple sets of lights to get from one side to the other.

They also don't like the idea of having to pedal from Matapihi Road towards Owens Place in order to go towards the Mount.

Bike Mount says removing the underpass will be a disaster and one that will be near impossible to fix after the intersection is rebuilt.

Bike Mount says cyclists want a comprehensive, connected pedestrian/cycle network for the Mount, and is seeking community support to:

Retain or reconstruct an underpass (or pedestrian/cycle overpass) at Bayfair that is safe, well designed and easily accessed.

Improve pedestrian/cycle access around Bayfair and to the underpass (ie not through the Bayfair carpark which is dangerous)

Link this to a safe, separated cycleway to Bay Park, Mount College, Mount Intermediate and Mount downtown.