If you thought there were more people than normal on your neighbourhood walking tracks and cycling trails during lockdown, you probably weren't wrong.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council's track counters on the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway show that when compared to the same period last year (9 August – 8 September) weekday traffic was much higher in 2021.

On weekends, pedestrian numbers remained high but cycling traffic dropped off.

"On the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway, our Wairoa River counter showed the weekday pedestrian numbers were up by 100 percent and weekday cyclist numbers rose by 35 per cent," says council's reserves and facilities projects and assets manager, Scott Parker.

"Lockdown can be a really challenging time, so it's good to see the Western Bay residents out on our trails, taking some time to look after themselves with a little bit of exercise and fresh air."

Track counter numbers on Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycleway from 9 August – 8 September, compared with the same period in 2020:

Plumbers Point main counter

On weekdays, pedestrian count is up by 64 per cent to a daily average of 98, and cyclists up by 37 per cent to a daily average of 176.

On weekends, pedestrian count is up by 30 per cent to a daily average of 147, and cyclists were down by five per cent to a daily average of 409.

Wairoa river cycleway counter

On weekdays, pedestrian count is up by 100 per cent to a daily average of 91, and cyclists up by 35 per cent to a daily average of 79.

On weekends, pedestrian count is up by 26 per cent to a daily average of 140, and cyclists were down by 16 per cent to a daily average of 212.

Scott says there's far more that the Western Bay of Plenty has to offer.

"It's easy to forget how lucky we are in the Western Bay. We have colourful towns, beautiful beaches, stunning native forest and the rugged Kaimai Ranges – all in our backyard.

"Council is committed to maintaining a network of trails across the District, so we encourage everyone to get out there and start exploring."

Visit Council's website for more information on walkways and cycleways.