Getting There - On Foot, By Cycle - The New Zealand Transport Strategy
Last updated on
20/05/2009 5:48 p.m.
A strategy to advance walking and cycling in New Zealand transport
February 2005
The Policy Context for Getting There - On Foot, By Cycle
The policy framework for Getting there - on foot, by cycle is provided by the New Zealand Transport Strategy (NZTS). The NZTS has been developed to guide central government and its various agencies when making decisions about transport.
The NZTS has the following vision:
By 2010, New Zealand will have an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system.
This vision will be achieved by developing a transport system that contributes towards five key objectives. These are:
- improving access and mobility
- protecting and promoting public health
- ensuring environmental sustainability
- assisting economic development
- assisting safety and personal security.
Underpinning the NZTS is the premise that these objectives must all be progressed in parallel in order to achieve sustainable transport.
The NZTS recognises that different modes of transport can contribute to transport in different ways. It seeks to achieve a more sustainable transport system by recognising the benefits of all modes, considering and balancing the impacts that different modes may have on others, and ensuring that any trade-offs are consciously made.
Getting there - on foot, by cycle maximises the contribution of walking and cycling to achieving the NZTS vision and objectives.
Contributions of walking and cycling to transport goals and objectives
The development of walking and cycling is integral to achieving the five key objectives of the NZTS.
Improving access and mobility
Walking and cycling provide access, mobility and transport choice to a wide range of New Zealanders. Walking and cycling together account for one in five household travel trips.
Walking is our second most common travel mode
Over a billion trips (nearly 19% of household travel trips) are made on foot. Walking is second only to private motor vehicle use in terms of its significance within our household travel. On average, Pacific peoples spend the most time as pedestrians, followed by Maori, then European New Zealanders.
Not all New Zealanders have independent access to motor vehicles
It is easy to think of New Zealanders as having universal access to motor vehicles, but many do not.
Around 10% of New Zealand households do not own a motor vehicle.
Over 20% of New Zealanders are under the legal driving age of 15 (2001 Census, Statistics New Zealand).
Not everyone of driving age drives. Among European New Zealanders, 92% of males and 85% of females currently drive. Among Maori, this falls to 84% of males and 64% of females. Among Pacific Island peoples, only 72% of males and 53% of females are current drivers (New Zealand Travel Survey, LTSA, 2000).
Cycling numbers are similar to those for public transport
Cycling accounts for more than a hundred million trips annually - nearly 2% of household travel trips - a proportion similar to the proportion of trips undertaken using public transport (2.5%). On average, European New Zealanders spend the most time as cyclists, followed by Pacific peoples, then Maori.
Walking and cycling are important modes of transport for those with fewer transport options
Walking and cycling are particularly important modes of transport for New Zealand households that do not own a motor vehicle and for those within car-owning households for whom vehicle access is limited (see box insert). For example:
- walking and cycling are the only modes of transport that can provide children and many young people free or cheap and independent access to their communities
- in smaller centres with little or no public transport, walking and cycling may provide the only alternatives to car use
- pedestrian networks provide important access to their local communities for many people with disabilities or limited mobility
- 27% of trips undertaken by those over the age of 80 are on foot.
Walking and cycling support other modes of transport
Walking and cycling can also support the use of other modes of transport. When we step out of our cars, very often we become pedestrians. The walks to and from the transit stop are essential components of most public transport journeys, and cycling can extend the catchment area of public transport.
Walking and cycling contribute to connected and liveable communities
Transport connects people to their communities. People engage with their communities more intimately when travelling on foot and by cycle than when travelling in a motor vehicle.
Because of this, walking and cycling can play important roles in the development of lively, well connected, and friendly communities. Streets designed for people - not just cars - are considered important indicators of a community
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