Pilot Bay boardwalk has been labelled 'the worst place in Tauranga” to consider shared pedestrian/cyclist access.

That was the message from city councillors after resident Jo Wills petitioned the authorities to open the walkway up to bike riders as well as foot traffic.

Jo Wills presented the petition to council on Thursday, containing over 220 signatures. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

Jo's presentation included pictures of the shared regime in Brisbane as an example of how cyclists and pedestrians share relatively narrow tracks.

And while Jo's presentation was praised by councillors, Mount ward councillor Matt Cowley was the only one to put his hand up in support. Her petition of around 220 signatures was subsequently declined.

Matt says the opposition made sounded like 'Armageddon”, and claimed there was not the equivalent level of rejection regarding the shared path at Ferguson Park – a location he claims is just as popular on a Saturday.

Despite voting against the petition, councillor John Robson says he totally supports Jo's message for shared space.

'The fact we don't have proper cycleways is not good,” admits John. 'The idea a bit of green paint on a busy roadway gives people the safety that they need, doesn't make any sense.

'There are so many strong arguments for cycling. I think it's unfortunate Jo's chosen what I believe is almost the least viable place to start a crusade for changing the city and the toughest place in the city to win an argument for shared space.”

'We need to figure out how we get there, I just think this is the wrong place to start.”

Much of Jo's presentation compared Tauranga with Brisbane, where shared spaces are managed, with cyclists required to use bells and pedestrians are told to keep left.

'It comes down to common sense versus regulation,” says Jo. 'I think if we regulate to try and compensate for common sense we are actually dumbing the community down.”

Councillors were wary about introducing cyclists to what is already the busiest walkway in the city.

Rick Curach and Steve Morris are both concerned that, unlike the Daisy Hardwick walkway, the Pilot Bay path is often infringed by members of the public enjoy summer beachside activities.

City council transportation manager Martin Parkes says shared paths should be at least three metres wide.

The 920m-long Pilot Bay boardwalk varies in width from 1.7 to three metres.

Tauranga currently has 40km of shared pedestrian/cycle space.

Gail McIntosh also pointed out there are 11,000 dogs in Tauranga City and a lot of them walk on boardwalks and cannot hear cyclists approaching.

Councillor Stewart says she is opposed to shared use of the boardwalk in summer, but would consider it during the winter months when usage is less.