It's time to get out and try Maketu's brand new shared cycleway and walkway.

The shared path was officially opened by Western Bay of Plenty Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour last Friday, with fellow Te Puke-Maketu Ward councillors and Maketu Community Board members in attendance.

Constructed by Westlink, Western Bay of Plenty District Council's contractor, the 2.5m wide shared path takes in the scenery along the eastern side of Maketu Road from Kaituna Road up to entrance of the Maketu township – 1.4km in total.

Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour says it is great to officially open this new cycleway and hopes the public gives it a big thumbs up by letting their feet and bikes do the talking.

'Western Bay of Plenty District Council is committed to providing walking and cycling infrastructure that supports the district's communities to be healthy, active and connected, and to work with others to help achieve this,” says John.

'This is yet another strategic piece of cycleway which in time will link up with the Tauranga Eastern Link Cycleway.”

The new 1.4km cycleway sits under Council's Walking and Cycling Action Plan 2020-2021.