Curach and councillor Bill Grainger, who represented the Te Papa/Welcome Bay ward, spent an hour at the cycleway junction this morning. Between 7.15am and 8.15am, the councillors counted 25 cyclists using the cycleway plus others using the footpath on the other side of the road.
Welcome Bay Lane used to be the original Welcome Bay Rd leading up to the Hairini roundabout. However, when Welcome Bay Rd was rediverted as part of the Maungatapu Underpass project, part of the road became a free turn and slip lane for westbound traffic.
Grainger said he was concerned the closure of the road would result in recreating congestion along Welcome Bay Rd - an issue which has previously plagued the suburb.
The other options recommended in the audit include permanent closure of the lane, and two controlled crossing points being installed on Welcome Bay Rd, before and after the entrance to Welcome Bay Lane.
"If we have to close it for the safety factor, we need to ensure we close it for as little time as possible," Grainger said.
"There's probably 50 per cent of cars running up that route. With that, you are going to have all the nose to tail traffic running back up to the Welcome Bay shops again."
The councillors said they both preferred extending the existing cycleway into Welcome Bay Lane further and creating a turning bay and crossing point before rejoining the lane to the road ahead of the underpass.
Grainger said safety had to be the number one priority "but so is making sure that our options are going to be good for drivers and cyclists".
In a previous story, cyclist Paul Armitage said he could see why some had concerns over the new cycleway.
The Bay of Plenty Times has sought comment from the council and transport agency.
