Heavy traffic as thousands flock to Crankworx

Crowds at the mountain bike champs mean busy roads. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua residents are being reminded to be cautious on the roads this weekend as extra visitors to the city cause congestion.

Thousands of people are attending Crankworx, an international mountain bike event held at Skyline Rotorua on State Highway 5.

Rotorua police acting area prevention manager Nicky Riordan advised residents to avoid the area where possible.

"We are aware that there was some congestion [yesterday] around Old Quarry Rd and Fairy Springs Rd. The message we will be wanting to get to residents is if there is an alternative route, then please consider taking it, and to exercise patience on the roads, because there are visitors to the town who will not be familiar with all the streets.

"Police have had high visibility in the areas to ensure traffic is flowing smoothly," she said.

Residents can take an alternative route via State Highway 33/30 and Te Ngae Rd (east of the lake).

The festival runs until Sunday, with traffic expected to be heaviest between 5pm and 6pm today. During the weekend traffic is expected to be heaviest between 12pm and 5pm each day.

For those heading to the event, two Crankworx cycleways have been set up which utilise existing Rotorua cycle paths.

Both routes begin at the i-SITE on the corner of Fenton and Arawa Sts - one in the direction of Skyline Rotorua, the other towards the Whakarewarewa mountain bike trails at Waipa.

Parking at Skyline is limited so parking areas have been set up at Rowi Street Reserve on Rowi St, off Kea St and Waikite Rugby Club - accessed from Bellvue Rd, off Koutu Rd.