Rotorua on track to cycle into future

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's council wants to take advantage of the Government's recently announced $100 million funding boost for the nation's cycleways.

On Monday, the Government said it would invest a further $100 million into urban cycleways for the next four years. Rotorua MP Todd McClay said he would support the council to help commuters make a change from driving or taking public transport to cycling.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said an Urban Cycleway Investment Panel would investigate opportunities to invest in urban cycleways that would expand and improve the cycling network.

"Many people cite safety concerns and a lack of infrastructure as reasons for not cycling, so we're going to begin building cycleways to a standard that delivers real incentives for commuters to make a change.

"Some councils are well advanced in planning and constructing local cycleways, and we want to ensure we do what we can to complement them and make them capable of being used by the widest number of people possible," Mr Brownlee said.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said the council had a comprehensive strategy aimed at progressively extending cycling facilities, adding local cycleways were becoming increasingly well-used by Rotorua locals - particularly for commuting to work and school.

"We would expect to be in a strong position to submit - in collaboration with local cyclists - a compelling case for a share of that funding and we look forward to finding out the terms of reference and criteria for applications once they've been formulated," she said.

"As a city and district that's developed a national and international reputation as New Zealand's biking capital - including some of the world's best mountain bike trails - we're very keen to see our urban cycling network further expanded.

"Funding availability is the key limitation to achieving this at present.

"So we're very encouraged at the possibility of additional funding support from central government, to help take commuter cycling in Rotorua to even higher levels."

Mr McClay said cycling had become incredibly important to Rotorua's economy.

"In the last week alone, we have heard some good announcements about cycling, including the expansion of Skyline's Gravity Park and the world's biggest mountain-biking competition Crankworx coming to the city.

"Placing a stronger focus on local cycleways to encourage more locals to bike to work also promotes a healthier lifestyle while reducing the pressure from other transport methods and roads."