Showcasing the Bay of Plenty’s local trails will help promote sustainable tourism and healthy lifestyles as cycling becomes an increasingly popular mode of transport.
A core action in the recently released regional cycle network report is to promote local trail offerings through guides to cycling in the Bay of Plenty.
Tourism Bay of Plenty has created a booklet to help cyclists take advantage of the scenic Western Bay of Plenty trails, developed in collaboration with Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Cycling guides, including visitor experiences, are available for the Rotorua and Taupō trail networks, developed by Rotorua Economic Development and Bike Taupō respectively.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty boasts the popular Motu trails and multiple options within the Whakatāne district, with several routes and cycling support services outlined in EPIC Whakatāne Town Centre’s bike guide.
Community groups, such as Go Cycling BOP, also do a fantastic job of promoting cycle trails to residents and visitors alike.
Increased use of current trails will support the case for further investment in cycling infrastructure at a local and regional level.
Another core action identified in the report was developing better collaboration between interested parties. Bay of Connections joined a small collective of Western Bay organisations that convened online recently to share plans, ideas and opportunities.
Tauranga City Council has allocated funding in its current long term and annual plans, providing an opportunity to develop a mapping tool of all the current trails and on-road cycle networks, in partnership with Cycle Action Tauranga.
In addition, the $170 million accessible streets programme is being rolled out, with a current focus on Ōtūmoetai and Matua, and Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui. Within this work, cycle ways will be designed and developed for all ages and abilities.
Tourism Bay of Plenty intends to develop and connect trails throughout the coastal Bay of Plenty to form a continuous network of riding options, and is looking at opportunities for product development.
The collective will continue to meet to build momentum at a local level to support the wider goal of progressing a regional cycle network in the Bay of Plenty.
A similar collective of Eastern Bay of Plenty parties will meet online for the first time on 25 March to share plans and opportunities in the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau districts.
