Tauranga mum wins $1000 cycle voucher

TCC transport manager Martin Parkes with Spencer Thomson, Sarah Thomson, Louis Thomson, and John Bettridge, who owns Avanti Plus Mount Maunganui with his wife Leonie. Photo: Ryan Wood.

A Tauranga teacher and mum of four is thrilled after winning a $1000 voucher to spend at Avanti Plus.

Sarah Thomson won the prize after taking part in Tauranga City Council's Cycle Plan consultation process, in which the council received 1571 survey responses.

An online interactive map also had 2824 pin markers dropped onto it by people who wished to comment on cycling in specific areas around the city.

Sarah was randomly selected as a winner after leaving feedback on cycling around the intersections near Pillans Point School.

'I was interested because my son Louis is going to start cycling to school soon, and I want it to be as safe as possible.”

She's decided to use the voucher to buy herself a bigger bike, which can have a second seat fitted in front of hers, so that her two-and-a-half year old son Spencer can ride the bike with her.

She's also bought Louis a brand-new bike of his own, picking them both up at Avanti Plus Mount Maunganui on Wednesday afternoon.

TCC transport manager Martin Parkes says the council engaged with the community on the Cycle Plan over a seven-week period between September and November.

'The feedback is now being analysed, and will help develop the Cycle Plan for the next 10 years. The interactive mapping tool in particular was useful, as it's allowed us to identify cycling hotpots I the city.”

Martin, who cycles to work every day, hopes more people will see the advantage and value in the alternative transport option.

'The ultimate aim is to reduce congestion on our roads.”

Earlier this week SunLive revealed traffic volumes in Tauranga have increased by nearly five per cent in the year to September 2017 – roughly double the national average.

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