Cyclists have been appearing in their droves at Tauranga City Council's Long Term Plan hearings this week in protest at its refusal to pay $500,000 towards the New Zealand Cycle Trail project from the Wairoa River to Otumoetai.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson began the discussion by reminding city councilors that they've left the district council in the lurch, as it has already agreed to its share of the funding for the Omokoroa to Wairoa section.

Bay of Plenty cyclists have been making themselves heard at Tauranga City Council's Long Term Plan hearings.

The city council is also endangering the $1 million funding that has been made available by the government, says Ross.

'The Minister of Transport (Simon Bridges) has indicated that the remaining $90 million available under the fund will be spent over the following three financial years,” says the submission.

'If Tauranga City Council doesn't pursue building this section within the next three financial years, the chance to secure this funding contribution will be lost.”

Ross presented numbers from Christchurch where a council report found a $6-$8 return for every dollar invested in cycle ways.

The benefits relate to health, the environment, reduced congestion and safety.

Economic benefit reports on cycle trails in neighbouring territorial authority areas attribute $254,000 in economic benefits to the Opotiki District Council's Motu Trail, and $2.44m to the Hauraki Rail Trail in 2013/13. Cycle trail visitors spend between $131 and $176 per day.

Ross also reminded council that investment in cycleways aligns with the SmartGrowth strategy, where the city council has already agreed to 'seek opportunities to provide routes for walking, cycling and mobility scooters integrated with roads and other infrastructure”.

The council also agreed with Smartgrowth to investigate and prioritise new commuter routes, and support opportunities to connect existing walking and cycling routes for recreational use throughout the sub-region, says Ross's submission.

The district council is also concerned about safety issues with cyclists using the busy state highway, and the Wairoa Bridge.

Lynn Manning says the Coastal Cycle Trail should be part of the urban cycle network, and that the council should be involved just to keep cyclists off state highway two.

'The percentage of money needed to complete cycle paths is but a fraction of the cost of roading and car parking,” says Lynn.

'For instance, I wonder about the cost of the reconstruction of Park Street, presumably to provide a few extra car parks.”

Margaret Murray-Beange says she's appalled at the lack of leadership the council has shown on this issue.

She claims Tauranga supported the Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway project in principle but failed to approve the $500,000 for the work, and dropped it entirely as a preferred option when going out for public consultation.

'Your neighbour, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, is committing to it and although the whole project is out for consultation, I believe the community is looking for our city councillors to have given the same positive guide to their ratepayers,” says Margaret.

'We all know how successful the many cycleway systems are working throughout New Zealand. Already there are so many people enjoying the trails and they want to do more.”