1.       What do you see as the advantages of
  (a) walking and       In UH we have wonderful outdoor spaces to exercise in amongst bush or alongside the rivers. Accessible to all and cost nothing to enjoy.
  (b) cycling   Once again the river trails are flat open spaces and more challenging bike trails thro the hills and bush. Exercise and a physical challenge.
  as a form of transport in your area? As a transport option our city is flat and we have a good climate but some roads have heavy traffic and not suitable for cyclists at some times of the day.
   
  2.       How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
  (a) pedestrians and GOOD
  (b) cyclists 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 but there is a process this has to go through and its assessment is not designed to account for cycle safety   YET .
   
  4.       Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?  Yes I use them every day
   
  5.       How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other. Signage OK but there are plans to review them
   
  6.       Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can?t use? Yes one bridge on SH2 but there is an alternative route available.
   
  7.       What would you do about these barriers?
   
  8.       Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible? Possibly
   
  9.       If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? We have one.
   
  10.   Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? Yes but as always restricted by the funds available.
   
  11.   Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them? Yes but hard to convince parent to allow kids to use bikes but we have improved the numbers walking to school and work.
   
  12.   What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?
   
  13.   What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing? Can promote but role really to support other initiatives put forward by other groups such as health agencies etc.
   
  14.   Does your council or DHB have a travel plan for staff and visitors? Not to my knowledge
   
  15.   Will you sign the Walking Charter? http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/ICharter.htm Sorry don't have time just now to study this but will when I get a chance.
   
  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. Yes I walk daily.

Name:  Katy Austin
 
Regional/city/district council or health board you are standing for:  Upper Hutt City Council,  Hutt Valley District Health Board
 
Constituency or ward where applicable:  N/A
 
 
1.      What do you see as the advantages of
(a) walking and
(b) cycling
as a form of transport in your area?
There are significant health issues gained from walking and cycling.  Upper Hutt weather makes it less comfortable in winter.  Walking and cycling would reduce road congestion.
 
2.      How would you rate (good, average, poor) facilities for
(a) pedestrians and   Good in the city where pavements are well maintained and smooth, but outside of the inner city pavements may not exist at all especially on main highways.
(b) cyclists   No cycle ways along the main street which goes from one end of Upper Hutt to the other.  These were removed not long ago when the national rules for cycleways were reviewed.  Without cycleways it is less safe for cyclists.
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? It would depend on the circumstances.  Developing wider pavements might be a worthwhile first step.  The development of cycle ways might also be an early step.
 
4.      Are you aware of where walking or cycling paths/lanes/routes are?   There are some cycle ways/paths which are directed towards bringing people into the city centre and there are cycle ways/paths which are in recreation areas. Yes I am aware of these paths and cycle ways and use them.
 
5.      How well signposted are these facilities? Please note if signage is better for one mode than the other.  Most probably not as well signposted as they could be.
 
6.      Are you aware of parts of the roadways or public spaces that (a) pedestrians or (b) cyclists can?t use? I am not aware of any roadways etc that pedestrians or cyclist can?t use.
 
7.      What would you do about these barriers? I don?t believe there are barriers.
 
8.      Do you think there are certain conditions under which parking on footpaths is permissible?  No.  If parking on the road blocks access then the road needs to be widen.
 
9.      If your ward/community does not have a walking or cycling route map, would you support creating one? Sounds like a good idea.  The Community Services division of Council has a map I think, but I am not sure.
 
10.  Does the council have a walking and cycling strategy, and if not, would you support having one? There is no formal strategy and I would support having one.
 
11.  Do you support travel plans in schools and workplaces? If so, what would you do to facilitate them?  I presume you mean plans to get people to schools and workplace by walking or cycling.  Walking buses have been tried but have fallen into disuse.  Perhaps it is time to resurrect them.  There are still many gaps in the bike racks of local schools and far too many cars parked outside the school gate.
 
12.  What other techniques could you suggest to improve walking and cycling as a regular activity?  Encourage parents to do it with their children.  Family bike rides down the river bank in the weekend.  Mum walking to school with children.
 
13.  What role do you see the council has in promoting public health? How do you see walking and/or cycling contributing?   Council in partnership with the local DHB can have a major impact on promoting public health.  Council has a responsibility of creating the environment to support health living ? parks, reserves, walk ways etc etc.  DHB joins in with public education.  Walking and Cycling can be significant part of this promotion.
 
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.  I own two bikes and walk everyday.  If it is pouring with rain, I walk inside, but always take the dogs for a walk each day.