A regular Wairoa Bridge cycleway user has likened riding on State Highway 2 to having a “death wish”.

However, with the cycleway closed, this 90km/h stretch of road is now the only direct link for cyclists between Te Puna and Bethlehem.

The Wairoa Bridge cycleway was closed indefinitely on March 27 after heavy rainfall in January and February triggered a slip that damaged the structure’s embankment.

The cycleway opened in 2020. An underpass and a signalised crossing were added in 2023.

Steps towards remediation were previously reported to be underway.

Local leaders and cyclists are calling on the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to urgently repair the popular cycleway.

Tauranga City Council owned and managed the cycleway, while NZTA owned SH2, the embankment, and parts of the cycleway.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council owned the wastewater pipeline in the embankment.

Ōmokoroa resident and cyclist Alan Thomson used the Wairoa Bridge cycleway once or twice a week before it was closed.

He had not cycled the route since because there was “no room for cyclists and vehicles” to safely share the bridge.

“You’d have a death wish to cycle on SH2.”

Heavy vehicles on the highway were “threatening”, he said; traffic “crawled” from the Te Puna roundabout, so frustrated motorists sped up when they reached the bridge.

“There’s a certain percentage of society that hates cyclists.”

The Bethlehem end of the Wairoa Bridge cycleway, looking towards the slip area and repairs. Photo / Glen Crowther

Thomson said the cycleway fencing had been removed, and he thought cyclists were still choosing to use the cycleway – despite the closure and associated risks – because it was safer than cycling on the road.

“One wrong move and you’re in the path of a truck.”

Thomson called for the cycleway’s urgent repair and a safe interim option.

City council Matua-Ōtūmoetai ward councillor Glen Crowther said biking on Wairoa Bridge was “risky” and cyclists should weigh up the safest option.

He said cyclists could use the footpath on the northern side heading towards Tauranga.

The footpath on the northern side of the Wairoa Bridge. Photo / Glen Crowther

He told NZME the council was asked to lead communications about the bridge.

Crowther wanted NZTA to repair the bridge “as fast as possible” and issue a safe interim alternative.

A cyclist he knew was passed by a truck and trailer unit on Wairoa Bridge with 50cm of clearance.

“That was too close for comfort.”

Crowther had noticed cyclists ignoring fencing and using the cycleway because “it’s far too dangerous to go on the road”.

Ōtūmoetai Ward councillor Glen Crowther at a Tauranga City Council meeting on May 27, 2025. Photo / David Hall

Council operations and infrastructure general manager Reneke van Soest said Wairoa Bridge was not recommended for cyclists because a “constrained corridor, high traffic volumes and current speed environment” made the road unsafe for them.

However, alternative options were limited.

“Cyclists wanting to access the Ōmokoroa cycleway from Tauranga are encouraged to park at the Wairoa River Reserve carpark and begin the cycleway to Ōmokoroa via Wairoa River Rd and Te Puna Station Rd.”

Van Soest said the council was liaising with NZTA on repairs and reminded cyclists the closure was temporary.

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell said the cycleway closure had lasted too long.

“We’re months down the track, and we still don’t have a preferred option on how to remedy this.

“We want to see this resolved as quickly as possible for the safety of walkers, cyclists and motorists.”

A crack in the Wairoa Bridge cycleway structure where the slip occurred. Photo / Glen Crowther

Uffindell said Wairoa Bridge was an entry and exit point for many people, several of whom used the walking and cycle facilities between Tauranga and Te Puna.

A significant amount of traffic, trucks and trailers used Wairoa Bridge.

“I wouldn’t cycle on it.”

An NZTA spokesperson said “we want to be clear” the agency had not recommended cyclists use the roadway as a preferred option.

“The state highway remains open and legally accessible to cyclists; however, we recognise this environment is challenging.”

They acknowledged safety concerns and were working with the council to identify safer interim options.

Geotechnical investigations confirmed the embankment was unstable and at risk of further movement.

The Wairoa Bridge cycleway embankment was stabilised following the March slip. Photo / Glen Crowther

“NZTA has confirmed funding for a permanent repair, and a preferred option has been identified.

“We are now moving into detailed design, alongside procurement planning.”

They said construction timing would be confirmed once design approvals, access arrangements and engagement were complete.

“In the meantime, we are investigating whether a practical interim solution can be implemented to reduce risk and reopen part of the cycleway at a reduced level of service.”

Options included repositioning asphalt bunding and installing appropriate safety control and signs.

“Any interim solution must prioritise protection of the embankment and the safety of people using the route.”

NZTA staff and technical specialists were on site this week to assess those options.

Bijou Johnson is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. A passionate writer and reader, she grew up in Tauranga and developed a love for journalism while exploring various disciplines at university. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from Massey University.