I write to place importance on cycling, walking and use of public use of transport in our city, otherwise it is likely we will be driving boats, not our cars, to work, due to future sea level rise.

It is the future of our grandchildren and great grandchildren that we need to carefully consider.

I don't want to sound alarmist and provocative, but we have to make changes to reduce carbon in the environment and one way is for Tauranga city to implement further bike and walking paths right across the city, not just for recreation, but importantly getting to and from school and work. If a city like Amsterdam can do it, we can too, we have a reasonably flat terrain and temperate climate here in Tauranga. It doesn't snow in Tauranga and we don't have hills like Wellington.

Cycling from Mount Maunganui to the city via Totara Street remains incredibly dangerous and we need it to be safe for students and workers.

The slipway from Hewletts Road to Totara Street, in the direction of the bridge, is treacherous to cross and needs immediate attention.

The Pilot Bay bike/bus lane is an excellent proposal to continue to travel to and from Mauao without a car.

I would like to see it extended right around the peninsular to Ocean Beach Road. My vision for Tauranga is a predominantly a car-less city. Of course trucks and work vehicles can stay, but we personally need to think and act differently for the next generations.

S Taylor, Mount Maunganui.