The Nelson branch of the Green Party is inviting anyone who wants to see a walkway-cycleway built around the city's waterfront to join them on a bike ride this Thursday leaving the i-SITE at Miller’s Acre at 5.30pm.

Coordinator Matt Lawrey says that instead of getting mad about the dangerous and uninviting state of the waterfront, Nelsonians should get pedalling.

“The fact that really nothing has been done for decades to make the place safer or more inviting for pedestrians and cyclists is a tragedy so this Thursday we’re riding to demand that NZTA and Nelson City Council finally get on with building a shared walkway-cycleway around the waterfront,” Matt said.

Matt said that the change of Government meant National’s plans to start building the Southern Link had been well and truly kicked for touch.

“We have a new government with new transport priorities, including getting more people walking and cycling, so we have a real opportunity to finally get something significant done on the waterfront that would benefit everyone, including motorists,” he said.

He said a well-engineered walkway-cycleway built into the seawall could also act as armour and to help protect the waterfront from the damaging effects of climate change.

Matt said it was important that Nelsonians showed the Government they had waited long enough for some action on the waterfront.

“There’s only so much money to go around. If we don’t send a clear message that the waterfront is our priority, the funds could easily end up being spent somewhere else,” he said.

Matt said that a decent shared walkway-cycleway around the waterfront would:

* Finally, after years of paralysis, unleash the waterfront's walking and cycling potential, thereby helping to reduce congestion and improving people's health.

* Make Rocks Rd safer for everyone, including people walking, cycling and driving.

* Increase the foot and pedal traffic passing the front doors of hospitality businesses in Wakefield Quay.

* Encourage visitors to spend more time and, as result, more money in Nelson.

* Finally make it possible for families to safely ride to the beach.

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