Cyclist have changed Tauranga City Council's mind on making a $400,000 contribution to the Omokoroa to Tauranga cycle trail.

Councillors, who previously opposed the council's financial support for the trail, admitted during the Long Term Plan deliberations yesterday that the measure of support the cycle trail received was a factor.

The city is going to spend millions on cycle paths.

It also shows Tauranga can work collaboratively with other councils and as a city Tauranga is moving forward and putting a lot of emphasis on tourism and growth, says councillor Bev Edlin.

'This is an area where we can see growth that attracts people to this wonderful city of hours.

'More importantly we have got to have to look at this from a community point of view and the community has spoken up loud and clearly.”

The council had 770 Facebook responses in favour of the cycle trail investment, and 192 long term plan submissions on the subject.

Organisers of a cycle in support demonstration expected a couple of hundred cyclists and were surprised to have 608 cyclists turn up, says Bev.

The $100,000 cheque from the Tauranga Roundtable service club is also a factor in turning the council round.

Bill Grainger previously voted against the cycle trail, but after seeing the numbers of cyclists that came forward, and the cheque, he read all the submissions, listened to the supporters and changed his mind.

Matt Cowley says his concern is that the urban cycle ways within the city would suffer if the council supported the Omokoroa/Tauranga cycle trail.

Council voted on three recommendations ensuring the urban cycle ways continue to develop.

The council is going to retain the funding to complete the urban cycle networks at a total cost of $1.2 million. It's also going to bring forward the timing of the urban cycle networks if they attract 100 per cent external funding in the first three years of the LTP.

The $3 million funding for the pedestrian/cycle overbridges on Route K at Tauriko will also be retained.

During yesterday's meeting, the council also agreed to allocate $40,000 to investigate and review the Waimapu pathway in year two of the LTP to enable a review as part of the 2018-2028 LTP.

It will also have another look at a walkway cycleway from Memorial Park and is setting aside $30,000 to have another look at the issue.

Catherine Stewart voted against it, saying it was rejected five years ago. Mayor Stuart Crosby says times have changed and it's time for another look.

Steve Morris says the harbour fringes are for all residents to enjoy, not just the privileged few who have locked up the land for their own use.

Councillors will also look at ways to enforce use of bells on bikes.