1. What do you see as the advantages of

(a) walking and - Keeping fit, enjoying our outdoors and breathing fresh
air, less air pollution and road congestion

(b) cycling - a means of transport, keeping fit, saving on energy costs and

keeping our planted 'greener', fresher air and less traffic congestion on
our roads.

as a form of transport in your area?

2. How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for

(a) pedestrians and - they seem OK around the City streets and along the
river bank etc. (rated 'good')

(b) cyclists - Palmerston North has many cycle lanes within the City and
especially towards Massey University. I am not a cyclist myself so I
cannot say whether they are adequate or not - from a motorist perspective
they do seem OK with well marked designated lanes. (Rated 'good')

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian
overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.

3. Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to
enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists? Yes I would if I knew of such
a place

4. Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?
Possibly not all of them but the most popular would be along the river bank on the City side only.

5. How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage
is better for one mode than the other. I think the signage is fine - for
cyclists, marked both on the road and with poles in places

6. Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a)
pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use? Yes, but i am not certain if I know
all of them

7. What would you do about these barriers? I would follow the
complaints of others, not having any myself. If felt warranted i would
raise them at Council, however I believe that the City Council would
address those concerns and not the Regional one - unless, of course it was
a rural area which required attention.

8. Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on
footpaths is permissible? Only where a street is too narrow to allow
passage of vehicles in both directions and then only to park on the grass
berm if available.

9. If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route
map, would you support creating one? n/a

10. Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not,
would you support having one? I don't know whether they have one or not -
but I would give attention if I thought one was required.

11. Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what
would you do to facilitate them? I quite like the 'school-bus' walking idea
and maybe sharing transport with work mates etc.

12. What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and
cycling as a regular activity? If in a rural area then maybe better scheduled bus
times would be acceptable - not having a particular example is difficult to envisage/comment on.

13. What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How
do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? By encouraging more people
to cycle or walk would increase people's health and reduce road congestion
- not to mention air pollution.

14. Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? I
don't know.

15. Will you sign the Walking Charter?
http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm
I haven't read it but if it made sense then I probably would
 

16. Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many
people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.
As stated above I neither cycle nor walk much at all - but would support
moves to increase such participation.
 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking
Slower pace to life, a chance to appreciate ones surroundings, as well as improvement to health and a reduction of carbon emissions. If walking became popular, then the need for home and businesses to be sited closer together, this will in turn help develop a greater sense of community and a more neighbourly/friendly towns
 and
(b) cycling
Similar to the above, but it would allow for larger communities which will increase the diversity and type of businesses that can be clustered together.
 
as a form of transport in your area?
 
2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and
(b) cyclists
in your area?
my area would be Levin. The paths are adequate, although they do come in for some criticism for poor condition/ rough surfaces especially fro the elderly. There are no dedicated cycle lanes, nor parking areas for bikes in the CBD.
This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, and quality of footpaths.
 
3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?
I would prefer to see streets closed, particularly in the CBD areas. I would also encourage the greater use of fluro gear and lights by cyclists.
4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?
no
5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.
n/a
6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can't use?
no
7.       What would you do about these barriers?
n/a
8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?
no
9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?
yes
10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?
Not sure
11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?
What are travel plans?
12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?
Free parking spaces, publicly funded promotions
13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?
Coordination between agencies. Co-funding events
14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?
Not sure
15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm
Yet to read it
16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.
I walk the dog. I bike over the summer-given the opportunity. I park further away than I need to when doing business.
 

(Please note - these comments are based on Wanganui and its environs, not the whole region. I am not familiar with the situation of all towns in the region.)
 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area?
 Advantages of both are:
 To the individual:
- more exercise and therefore better health and general feeling of well-being,
- financial benefits by avoiding or reducing the expenses of running a vehicle and parking costs,
- time advantages if cycling in congested area where traffic moves slowly,
- the good feeling of making a contribution to reducing congestion, the effects of climate change and poor air quality from vehicle emissions.
To the wider community:
- reduced congestion on roads,
- less space needed for parking in inner-city areas,
- better air quality from reduction in vehicle emissions,
- reduced need to spend our national income on importing oil and vehicle products,
- gets people out of an indoor (or in-car) environment and makes them more aware of their surroundings,
- better individual health leading to savings in publicly funded healthcare,
- happier citizens!
 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and
Average. Not bad overall but some areas where priority to vehicle traffic creates dangerous road crossings or pedestrian movement. Some supermarket car-parks are not designed for pedestrian movement within the park let along save and convenient access to and from the facility. In particular there is often a presumption that all visitors will arrive by car.
Footpaths are of average quality but where space is limited, again vehicles get priority. Potential for more pedestrian spaces but initiatives like these often get halted by vociferous (and misguided) opposition from nearby retailers.
(b) cyclists
Average to poor. Similar to comments for pedestrians. There have been some good cycleways established but there is potential for more, and for more and better facilities for parking bicycles. A cycle strategy is being finalised by the Wanganui District Council that hopefully will result in improvements.
 
in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.
 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?
 Depends totally on the situation. I think there is a good case for speed restrictions around some schools on busy streets.

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?
 Yes, up to a point and mostly on areas that I visit frequently.

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.
 Moderately well sign-posted. Some signage is confusing especially where there are joint cycleway-footpaths e.g. Somme Parade. This leads to negative comments against cyclists who have a legitimate right to be there. There is usually better signage for pedestrians.

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can?t use?
 Yes but don't test me.

7.       What would you do about these barriers?
 In some cases e.g. motorways there are good reasons to ban pedestrians and cyclists. In that situation there is a responsibility to provide alternatives. Cyclists are not generally allowed on footpaths. In situations where there is a very busy road a cycleway should be provided if at all possible. If not alternative cycling routes should be developed and signposted.

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?
 Emergency always. Possibly in temporary construction or loading situations with the proviso that there was always sufficient room for a pedestrian with a pram, or cyclist to safely get through.

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?
 Yes. One may have already been produced - I don't know.

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?
 Wanganui DC is developing one. Other councils in the region should too, if not already.

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?
 Yes definitely. I'd want to first find out if the regional council was doing anything about it and, if not, try to get agreement for a programme of action. Getting information from EECA or LTNZ would be a good start.

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?
 You've got me there.

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?
 A peripheral role only and it is important to avoid trying to be all things to all people and therefore lose focus on core activities. Mainly through its transport, air, water and land policies and activities. Walking and cycling would contribute in the ways I have described above under 'benefits'.

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?
 I don't know, but if elected I'd want to promote this.

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm

        Yes

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.

R     Regularly walk but don't cycle much.


 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area?
Both forms are great exercise and are a perfectly sustainable form of transport. Economical, easy and convenient.
 
2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and
(b) cyclists
in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.
Pedestrians have better facilities than cyclists although better access to walkways is needed. Upgrade of the recreational facilities along the Manawatu River will encourage people to use the walkways more. Although Palmerston North has many cycle paths there needs to be more to encourage people to use bicycles and for cyclist?s safety. There also needs to be more cycle racks available for dedicated cyclists.
 
3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?
This would depend one the streets and their usage for vehicles
 
4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?
More aware of walking routes than cycle paths
 
5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.
Better signage is needed to encourage patronage
 
6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can?t use?
Yes I am aware of where pedestrians and cyclists are not allowed to use
 
7.       What would you do about these barriers?
NA
8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?
No there is no reason for a private vehicle to park on a footpath. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances should be able to in emergency circumstances
 
9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?
Yes
 
10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?
Horizons does not have a strategy although Roadsafe Central - funded by Horizons - does advocate walking and cycling safely. Yes I would support a formal strategy
 
11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?
NA
 
12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?
Public education and more walking/cycling groups, fun days etc
 
13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?
Horizons uses Roadsafe Central to promote more sustainable forms of transport which in turn are beneficial to both individual health and that of the environment
 
14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?
No although we do encourage carpooling when on work related business if feasible
 
15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm
I would need more information but probably yes
 
16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.
I walk regularly and encourage my son to cycle whenever possible.
 

1) Advantages of
(a) walking: It is a healthy activity, suitable for any age, it has social as well as environmental and health impacts. I can do it alone or with company. Knowing that I’m not causing environmental problems eases my conscience.
(b) cycling has similar benefits to walking but can be a hazardous activity when heavy traffic ignores the rights of cyclists to share the same road. I used to enjoy cycling but it became too dangerous. In our area cycling can assist people to get to rural and urban spaces that are not accessible by car. It also reduces the dependence on cars and the need for good land being used car parking space.

When I first joined the Regional Council I was not a committee member but I attended the Land Transport Committee. I raised the issue of Horizons being involved in the strategic planning of roads. It was not an acceptable idea but I kept repeating the mantra and informed the committee that Wellington Regional Council and others were directly involved in road planning, the same Act governed our involvement in transport matters. Gradually it has been accepted that we do have a responsibility for accessible public transport and also to ensure all road users have well designed and safe roads.

2)Rating for facilities
(a) Pedestrians: poor, as a walker I am concerned that walkability is not designed into public space, planners have avoided considering the subject when working with local authorities. More recently TA’s have engaged with volunteers planning riverside and rural walkways but still urban footpaths do not provide safe surfaces for walkers.

(b) Cyclists I’m impressed by the number of residents young and old who continue to cycle in such POOR conditions. The increase in cycleways is encouraging but often they are not continuous, they disappear and cyclists continue to dice with death particularly with the increased number of A and B trains on our roads. Pedestrian and cycle overbridges are not included in planning and there needs to be a greater public pressure to get some action for change .

3) Yes I would support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use for pedestrians and cyclists.

4) I am aware of where some of the walking and cycling paths are

5) Signposting is better for walkways but could be improved for both walkers and cyclists

6) Yes I am aware: Pedestrians can’t use parts of the city where there are no footpaths. River crossings and overbridges would also be an incentive for more people to walk and cycle on both sides of the river.
 

7) I’d ask to have plans for these facilities to be included in the Urban Growth Strategy long term financial strategy.

8) No parking on footpaths except in emergencies

9) I would appreciate having a walking and cycling route map available to all members of the public for citizens and visitors.

10) Yes

11) Yes encourage policy makers to develop the plans

12) Greater recognition by publicity around the benefits of walking and cycling

13) Regional Council has responsibility for air quality and maintaining standards of clean air, protection of water bodies and monitoring water quality

14) Need to check this out with staff

15) Yes I would sign the Walking Charter

16) I walk regularly. I have recently walked up Kapiti Island hill with two grandchildren. I have booked to do the three day Tora Walk on the Wairarapa coast at Easter with my family.
 

1.       What do you see as the advantages of
 

(a) walking and
 

(b) cycling
 

as a form of transport in your area?  Healthy options
 

2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
 

(a) pedestrians and
 

(b) cyclists
 

in your area? This could include such things as cycleways, pedestrian overbridges, cycle parking, quality of footpaths.   Poor.  I've given up cycling as it is too dangerous
 

3.       Would you support lowered speed limits on certain streets to enhance their use by pedestrians or cyclists?   Certainly
 

4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?  Yes
 

5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.  Not well sign posted.  There is a competing usage of one particular pathway and cyclists think that have the right of way.
 

6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can?t use?   Very aware
 

7.       What would you do about these barriers?   Insist that all new roading/transport consents have provision for cyclists and pedestrians
 

8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?  NO   (ambulance and fire service yes)
 

9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one?   Certainly
 

10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one?  It is not mentioned in the Horizons One Plan.  It should be.
 

11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?  Walking buses are a great idea.
 

12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?  Carless days may be here sooner than we realise!
 

13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?   Having just sat through a hearing on the application to discharge contaminants into the air, YES I do see both Regional and district councils having a role in promoting health
 

14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors?  Not that I am aware of
 

15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm
 

16.   Do you cycle and/or walk regularly? We recognize of course that many people who do not remain supportive of our aims to increase rates of both.  Walk at least 45 minutes per day. ie in addition to the walking I do in my job.