Multi-million dollar cycleway boost for Bay (+video)

Cycling is popular in Tauranga, which will reap the benefits of a multi-million dollar Government boost. Photo/file

Tauranga is set to reap from a $14.6 million investment in cycleways, following an announcement from Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges this afternoon.

Mr Bridges said the more than $87m will be spent in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty plus other provincial centres including Whangarei, Hamilton, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings/Napier, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Nelson and Dunedin.

Tauranga MP and Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

Mr Bridges said the money would change the face of cycling in New Zealand.

Of the 13 cycleways projects announced in January, a further 41 will receive funding under the Urban Cycleways Programme.

The Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway and Tauranga urban cycle network connections will be accelerated with funding from the Urban Cycleways Programme, Mr Bridges said.

"The Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway will receive $1.5 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, along with $2.4 million from the National Land Transport Fund and $3.8 million from local government, including development contributions.

"Tauranga urban cycle network connections will receive $2.3 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, $710,000 from the National Land Transport Fund and $3.9 million from local government.

"The Urban Cycleways Programme demonstrates how central and local government can work together, delivering high-quality infrastructure which will encourage more people to ride to work, school, and everywhere in between,'' Mr Bridges said.

Mr Bridges said the announcement was the single biggest investment in cycling in New Zealand's history.

The programme is designed to pull together a range of funding sources to build the best possible cycling network that benefits all New Zealanders.

Together with those announced in January, these projects will make cycling a safer, more attractive transport choice for thousands of people around the country.

"The projects announced today will draw on the $90 million remaining in the Urban Cycleways Fund, as well as $107 million from the National Land Transport Fund, and $99 million from local government," Mr Bridges said.

The Urban Cycleways Investment Panel assessed and recommended the projects to receive the funding.