Encouraging active transport and active environments

Three cyclists on a pathway in Hagley Park strewn with autumn leaves.Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health works collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure our urban areas across the region are active environments designed to promote physical activity, by having:

  • sufficient green space;
  • recreational areas and other open spaces (such as skate board parks and walking trails); and
  • access to active transport such as walking, cycling, jogging, using a scooter or public transport.

We actively contribute to local and regional planning strategies and decisions on open and recreational spaces, urban planning, transport, walking and cycling strategies and sustainability issues.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate physical activity into your life is to walk or cycle for everyday transport. Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health staff promote active transport within the community and in education settings and workplaces, in the following ways:

  • supporting School Travel Plans (South Canterbury only);
  • promoting and developing strategies to encourage safe and user friendly facilities for active transport within the community;
  • ensuring disadvantaged populations have access to safe active transport opportunities; and
  • supporting the development of new recreational cycle trails and commuter cycle ways.

Addressing active transport concerns and issues

Apart from being opportunities for physical activity, active transport also contributes to the health of the population and other benefits to society through:

  • Reduced air pollution – including toxic gases and particulates from vehicle brakes and tyres.
  • Safer roads and less congestion.
  • Higher street security and crime prevention through more ”eyes on the street”.
  • Enhanced mental wellbeing by greater social capital and incidental social interaction.
  • Greater personal resilience and less dependency on fossil fuels.
  • A more productive workforce with less absenteeism.

Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health works with a number of partner agencies or is a member of several networks to address active transport concerns:

The BuyCycles project supports people from Corrections and the Mental Health Services to buy a bicycle. This collaborative project with Community Focus Trust and Mental Health Services was developed and continues to be supported by Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health.

Making sure children have safer and healthier streets

Children in the classroom planning for their walkathon.School Travel Plans provide safe options for children travelling to and from school. These are developed in collaboration with school communities and the local council, and have the following benefits:

  • Children are healthier through increased opportunities for physical activity.
  • Increased awareness among parents on the importance of physical exercise for their children.
  • Less cars on the road at peak times and less congestion at the school gate.
  • Children are more aware of the effect of their actions on their environment (pollution reduced, and energy saved).
  • Parental concerns about real and perceived road traffic dangers get addressed.

Staff in the South Canterbury office develop these plans in collaboration with school communities and the Timaru District Council.


Documents

Downloads

Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

Links

For further information, contact:

CANTERBURY
Meg Christie
Ph: +64 3 378 6817

SOUTH CANTERBURY
Jane Sullivan
Ph: +64 3 687 2600

WEST COAST
Rosie McGrath
Ph: +64 3 768 1160


Learn to ride with Bike Bridge

Bike Bridge is a FREE programme for former refugee and migrant women to learn to ride a bicycle – based at Addington School | Te Kura Taumatua.

The sessions are fun and you can also meet new people. Children welcome!

Bikes and helmets provided. No special clothes are required to participate.

The next course starts on Wednesday 16th October 2024.
This programme usually runs during the spring and summer months (Daylight Saving time).

Participants will also have the opportunity to get a free or heavily discounted bicycle – as well as a lock and helmet.

The project welcomes female volunteers.

Contact Coordinator Lois Hill for more information (bikebridge[at]radbikes.co.nz).

Bike Bridge is supported by Te Mana Ora | Community and Public Health.


Tips for biking in our towns and cities.


Campaign encouraging safe e-scooting

Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency is encouraging the safe use of increasingly popular e-scooters.

The key messages for e-scooter users from the campaign are:

  • Give way to pedestrians and other footpath users.
  • You must not ride at a speed that’s a hazard to themselves or other footpath users.
  • You should always wear a helmet.
  • Be aware that other footpath users can’t see or hear you coming.
  • Keep left if riding on the road – when it is safe to do so.

Get assistance to plan your journey

The Waka Kotahi Transport Planner website lets urban and long-distance travellers know about major road works and closures – no matter what your mode of transport (car, bus, motorcycle, cycling or walking).

Navigate around the interactive map to identify where road works are located and how they may affect your journey around the city, region or country. The interactive map also provides real-time traffic flow information on arterial roads within urban areas.

You can plan your Canterbury bus journey on the MetroInfo website, or find out about detours and timetables.


Page last updated: 31/10/2024

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