Bike Mount's Heidi Hughes has spearheaded a petition to keep the Bayfair underpass for cyclists
A Mount Maunganui cycling group is fighting a decision to remove a popular underpass at one of the Bay of Plenty's busiest intersections.
A petition to prevent the removal of the pedestrian and cyclist tunnel at the Bayfair roundabout was launched last week and as of 10am todayhad already gained more than 500 supporters.
The underpass at the Maunganui Rd/Matapihi Rd and Girven Rd intersection is expected to be removed as part of the Bayfair to Baypark (B2B) redevelopment by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Bike Mount's Heidi Hughes said it did not make sense to remove the underpass because it would force cyclists to navigate through busy traffic instead.
Ms Hughes said the existing underpass was well used, especially by children making their way to and from school.
Ms Hughes said the move would encourage more people into cars and add to the region's congestion - a key reason behind the need for the redevelopment.
The proposed result of the Baypark to Bayfair Link upgrade. Image/NZTA
''It's no longer okay on many roads to expect cyclists to share the road with cars and trucks. There needs to be added networks connecting up those [cycle] pathways so we don't get dumped out at the end of a cycleway into full-on traffic. Unless you're a strong and fearless cyclist, it's an accident waiting to happen.
''It creates animosity where cyclists end up taking chances. No wonder the truckies get upset with cyclists when they're dumped out onto busy roads''
NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty state highways manager Niclas Johansson said the Bayfair to Baypark project would improve safety for all road users by removing the majority of heavy freight and commuter traffic from Maunganui Rd to an overpass above.
The road below the overpass would give pedestrians, cyclists and other road users a safe option, he said. There would be much less traffic on Maunganui Rd and there would be pedestrian lights to stop cars and other vehicles so people could cross, he said.
The final layout of the new intersection was still subject to detailed design and the agency was working with its national cycling group and the project team.
Mr Johansson said there had been public consultation since 2011, and making urban cycling safer was a top priority.
