An online petition demanding the removal of a ‘no cycling' sign on Mount Maunganui's Pilot Bay has prompted a response from Tauranga City Council, who insist the footpath would need widening to accommodate cyclists.

Mount resident Jo Wills set up the petition on Change.org's website and has so far collected 175 signatures supporting her call to 'take the anti-cycling sign down and let the Pilot Bay area return to a beautiful shared environment that all can enjoy”.

Jo Wills launched an online petition to have a ‘no cycling' sign removed from Pilot Bay four days ago, and has racked up 175 signatures as well as dozens of messages of support. Photo: Change.org

However, Tauanga City Council Transportation Manager Martin Parkes has responded by saying the width of the boardwalk would need to be expanded in order to accommodate cyclists – a move which he admits is 'not a simple option”.

He has also ruled out the possibility of removing Pilot Bay's road reserve status.

In a direct response to the petition, Martin says: 'The ‘no cycle' signs were put in soon after the Pilot Bay boardwalk was first built in 2013.

'The Pilot Bay boardwalk is on road reserve. In legal terms that makes it a footpath.

'It would need to be three metres wide to be a shared pathway. To allow for cyclists, council would have to extend the width of the boardwalk or change the road reserve status. Neither is a simple option.”

'The boardwalk along Marine Parade is not on road reserve so it falls under different rules.”

In a message explaining her petition, under the title ‘Creating a community that shares outdoor spaces', Jo references Pilot Bay's suitability as a safe environment for bikes as opposed to adjacent road The Mall, which she describes as 'congested”.

However, Martin refutes this, saying: 'We have improved traffic safety along The Mall in the last couple of years. The 30km speed limit is working well and feedback from cyclists has been very positive.”

Launched just four days ago, the petition has not only attracted 175 signatures, it has also received almost 70 messages of support from the local community as well as further afield.

Former Tauranga resident Logan Tuimaseve, who now lives in Hastings, says: 'I'm signing because I have spent many years enjoying Pilot Bay both professionally and recreationally.

'I believe people are responsible enough to be courteous and share the pathways without need for council intervention. As a cyclist myself I know that it's not always safe to cycle on the road along Pilot Bay. Come on council, sharpen up!”

In another post, Karen Linford of Te Puke writes: 'I'm signing because I think this area is ideal and safe for both leisurely cyclists as well as walkers to enjoy.”