Getting There - On Foot, By Cycle - Priority 8
Last updated on
22/06/2010 5:19 p.m.
A strategy to advance walking and cycling in New Zealand transport
February 2005
Encourage and support individuals in changing their travel choices
Why?
Supportive transport systems - plus improved perceptions of walking and cycling - will increase the likelihood of individuals considering the use of these modes for transport. But for many of us, our ability to turn contemplation into action can also benefit from active encouragement and support.
A range of activities are currently underway in New Zealand that can encourage people to walk and cycle for transport. These include:
- activities focused specifically on encouraging or supporting transport-oriented walking and cycling - for example, National Cycle to Work Day, Walking School Bus programmes,
- and increased provision of signage and maps for cyclists and pedestrians
- travel behaviour change programmes, such as work- or school-based travel plans, and community travel behaviour change initiatives that seek to raise people's awareness of a range of transport choices (which could include walking and cycling) and to encourage and support the choice of sustainable modes
- programmes that aim to encourage active living - for example, New Zealand's national 'Push Play' and 'Green Prescriptions' campaigns.
Such programmes are undertaken by a variety of sectors. Some are well established. Others are relatively new. There is an opportunity to build on, strengthen and expand this work within a co-ordinated framework.
Linking programmes that support and encourage people to choose walking and cycling with initiatives to improve the environment in which the walking or cycling will occur can help ensure that their choices are enjoyable and worth repeating.
Special attention needs to be given to changing travel behaviour among children - the group for whom the decrease in walking and cycling has been greatest. Children represent the future for walking and cycling. Focusing on the young can support the development of life-long walking and cycling habits.
Desired outcome
A co-ordinated and effective mix of programmes and initiatives will support development of a strong walking and cycling culture, and proactively encourage and support people to choose walking and cycling more often over private car use.
How?
International and local experience indicates that the following types of action will help to achieve this outcome:
- Promotion of walking and cycling occurs within a national framework that seeks to incorporate and strengthen current inter-sectoral efforts and identify new opportunities to
- effectively promote these modes.
- Wherever possible, walking and cycling are included and effectively promoted in travel planning and travel behaviour change initiatives.
- Workplaces, schools and popular destinations are encouraged to provide appropriate 'end-use' facilities (such as lockers, cycle parking and showers) to support active transport choices.
- Priority is given to undertaking travel behaviour change initiatives in communities that offer a good range of destinations within walking and cycling distance.
- Information is made readily available to communities about destinations within easy walking or cycling distance and about walk-and-cycle-friendly routes for reaching these.
- Promotional activities for walking and cycling are linked with efforts to make communities more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.
<< Previous | Contents | Next >>
Media Release
Download the: