Tauranga City Council is creating a safer future for people biking, catching the bus or walking on the Ōtūmoetai Pensinula.

Public consultation on the Accessible Streets for Ōtūmoetai Peninsula programme, including the suburbs of Ōtūmoetai, Matua, Brookfield, Bellevue and Judea, opened earlier this week and will run until Sunday, September 25.

The programme aims to support a shift from private vehicles to more energy-efficient, low-cost and active modes of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport by delivering a 12km connected network of cycleways, improving bus journey times and infrastructure, and making it safer for pedestrians and other road users.

TCC director of transport Brendan Bisley says we need to make it safer and easier for people to cycle, catch a bus, or walk to key places within the Ōtūmoetai Peninsula, as well as travel into the city centre.

'The community has told us they would choose to cycle to shops, parks, or work if they felt safer on the roads.

'We're asking for community feedback on the options available along the identified primary cycle and bus routes because it's vital we understand the community's needs,” says Brendan.

Feedback will be used to develop a preferred option as part of the business case needed to secure government funding.

Community drop-in sessions are at Church of Christ, 258 Ngatai Rd, Otūmoetai, on Wednesday, September 14 from 4pm-6pm; and Thursday, September 15 from 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm.

To find out more, give feedback via the survey and sign up for project updates, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/accessiblestreets-otumoetai