Tauranga's cycling community have been handed a boost after Tauranga City Council reversed their funding decision for the Tauranga Moana Cycle Trail.

This morning's deliberations saw councillors vote unanimously to allocate $400,000 towards the Omokoroa to Tauranga route.

Cyclists during last month's rally against Tauranga City Council's decision not to contribute its $500,000 share towards a cycleway linking Omokoroa to Otumoetai. Photo: Cameron Avery.

The city section of the trail will run from the Wairoa River to Ngatai Road, near Otumoetai Road, where it will connect up with the city cycle network.

The change of heart follows months of community pressure, including a 800-strong community cycle rally, and Tauranga Roundtable members presenting council with $100,000 aimed at provoking a U-turn on the decision.

Council had earlier declined to fund their section from Matua to the Wairoa River, while Western Bay of Plenty District Council – the lead agency on the project – committed to paying $300,000 a year in its draft ten-year plan.

A revised route was explored with the potential to reduce costs and allow the option of linking into a walkway planned to Miles Lane, along the Tauranga side of the Wairoa River.

Instead of the cycleway bridging the Wairoa River close to the railway bridge and following the railway to Ngatai Road, it will cross the river at Waimarino.

The cycleway would then traverse Parau Farms, behind Taniwha Lane, and link directly into Bethlehem.

Of the 103 submissions received by council during the Long Term Plan process, on the Omokoroa to Tauranga Cycle Trial, 93 opposed council's decision to decline its share of the funding.

The remaining 10, supportive of council, claimed the funding was for niche groups and could be achieved without council assistance.

Council also approved to allocate $40,000 to investigate the Waimapu Pathway and $30,000 to investigate a new walkway/cycleway from Memorial Park to the Strand