Living Streets Aotearoa Inc

7 August 2008: Dismay at the lack of funding committed to improving the walking environment

At the end of a very successful NZ Walking conference, Living Street Aotearoa members expressed dismay at the lack of funding announced in the Government Policy Statement committed to improving the walking environment.

Walking has been overlooked in favour of Think Big transport projects for too long.

"We are under-whelmed by the targets and funding" Ms Wade-Brown said in a closing address to the delegates in Auckland.

"We agree with the aim to increase walking, especially for short urban journeys," says Living Streets President, Celia Wade-Brown. "However, a total of 1% per annum growth in walking and cycling is stunningly unambitious. Static funding over the next three years means there is no commitment to a real step change in support for people on foot."

Many Councils and communities are clear what improvements are needed. Programmes, promotion and engineering changes are ready to go with many Councils having Walking Strategies or policies. We are disappointed and mystified that footpath maintenance will receive NO central government funding when there is acknowledgment that there is a huge cost to the health system for trips and falls as well as the transport imperative to get people walking for more urban short trips.

Walking far more trips under 2k is a realistic goal but where's the government support? Walking is part of every public transport trip so good access is a precondition for people to catch the bus or train. At the moment some stations have appallingly unsafe and unattractive approaches.

Overall we have a decline in children walking to school. Lack of physical activity has caused huge health funding problems. 30 minutes exercise a day is easily achieved with a couple of 2km walks.

Cold starts, congestion around schools and safety through natural surveillance are all alleviated by increasing travel choice. At the moment the new Transport Authority seem destined to overlook walking as a true 21st century solution.

Walking is a terrific way to simultaneously address revitalisation of city and town centres, obesity and mental health.

"If New Zealanders want a better set of transport choices, walking must be at the top of the list. To get to a bus stop or train station, we walk. Redesigning sprawl into compact, beautiful walkable centres must be a higher priority than expanding road capacity." says Cr Wade-Brown.

"A projected average of almost $2 billion p.a. on roading could easily be pruned to increase funding for footpath maintenance, safer routes to school, walking maps and signage. That would reduce congestion in a much more cost-effective way" says the Wellington City Councillor. She notes that Wellington is bucking the trend with a reduction in one car-one person commuter trips and puts this down to increasing inner city living, the Safer Roads programme in Wellington and higher fuel prices.

Visiting walking guru, Dan Burden, keynote speaker at this week's Walking Conference, stressed that slowing vehicles is essential for a walking-friendly neighbourhood and that this still allows traffic to flow effectively.

Notes:

In the updated NZ Transport Strategy - the mode share of walking and cycling should grow to 30% by 2040 and just 1% p.a. to 2015.

However, the Government Position Statement (p18) sets out a funding plan for walking and cycling facilities which does not necessarily show any growth until 2012/13 and suggests ($15-30 m pa for the next 3 years.

For more information on Dan Burden please see www.walkable.com

Celia Wade-Brown President Living Streets Aotearoa
P O Box 25-424, Wellington, New Zealand
home - 04 938 6691, mobile - 027 483 6691

Living Streets office - 04 385 8280

25 July 2008: Save petrol money - Walk

Creating communities less reliant on oil will be high on the agenda at the New Zealand Walking conference, organised by Living Streets Aotearoa.

Making our communities more walkable by designing streets for people is a top priority as petrol rockets past $2 a litre, says walking expert Dan Burden.

Described by Time magazine as one of the six most important civic innovators in the world, he will be the key note speaker at the conference in Auckland on 4-5 August. The theme of the conference is to Double the feet on the street.

Mr Burden, a former National Geographic photographer, will use his photographs to help communities realise how car-centric they have become, and to show them how to get back on their feet.

Mr Burden walks for a living. He is an expert on walkability, healthy streets and smart growth. He founded the organisation Walkable Communities in the United States, and has worked with more than 200 communities and cities to help them change their focus onto people instead of cars.

"If you build your community for cars you will get lots of cars; if you build your community for people you will get lots of people, said Mr Burden. Indeed, those cities in the United States building for people are becoming the most sustainable, and have not seen a softening of the housing market. In Seattle, Washington, for example, they have focused on walkability and people for the past 20 years, and they have a robust and growing economy."

Mr Burden will also be running seminars in Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

The Minister of Transport, Annette King, will walk to the conference from the Panmure Bridge on the Monday morning to give the opening speech. Leaders and advocates from government, academia, planning, engineering, community groups, health, environment, design, and business will be attending.

MC for the Walking Conference will be Louise Schofield who presented TV3s Honey were killing the kids programme.

Dame Susan Devoy will demonstrate her new web site Wonderwalkers, which promotes walking for women.

For more information:

www.livingstreets.org.nz

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 385 8280, 021 106 4201

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa (04) 938 6691, 027 483 6691

For interviews with Dan Burden:

Tim Hughes 021 934 372

To register for a Media Pass to the conference:

Glenda Harding glenda at hardingconsultants.co.nz

Information about the conference, including the programme, is on the Living Streets website www.livingstreets.org.nz

You are invited to walk with Minister Annette King from Panmure footbridge to the conference venue at 8.15 on Monday 4th August.

Liz Thomas Executive, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, PO Box 25424, Wellington 6146

Phone +64 4 385 8280, Fax +64 4 385 4962, Mobile 021 106 4201

24 July, 2008: Great Harbour Way needs political commitment NOW Celia and Storm at Petone

Celia Wade-Brown says "Let's look at the Great Harbour Way and plan for its implementation sooner than later."

A wide scenic route from Wellington to Hutt would be terrific for recreation and commuting.

It's shameful that tourists coming off the ferry from South Island can't cycle or walk along our magnificent harbour in either direction.

Wellington has a lovely waterfront and Petone's foreshore is attractive but there is an ABYSS between.

Family groups could walk or cycle at the weekend and it would be great for runners and cyclists who commute between Wellington and the Hutt Valley but hate being squeezed by trucks along SH2.

Increasing the number of runners and cyclists who commute is a brilliant way to increase people's daily activity. Lack of physical activity is a key cause of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.*

The lack of facilities along SH2 must embarrass Transit and shows up the lack of spending on active modes compared to facilities for trucks and cars. The high fuel prices are here to stay and local Councils and Transit have a duty to enable people choosing healthier, cheaper modes to have a better chance of surviving.

Celia Wade-Brown has walked and cycled the existing pathetic route and would never recommend it to locals or visitors. Given the horror of cycling along SH2 now, either on the sub-standard cycleway or the shoulder, it's illogical to use the current numbers as a reason not to do something. Of course there are few cyclists and runners compared to drivers at the moment. Even with higher fuel prices, people don't trade off their safety.

The Great Harbour Way would be a wide dual use path that could safely be shared by walkers and cyclists. Fast confident cyclists should have a good facility on the road itself.

She's sure that the Great Harbour Way will be brought up in August's consultation on Wellington's Walking and Cycling Plans.

"I will be working to ensure that budget will be committed by Hutt and Wellington City Councils, Greater Wellington and the new NZ Transport Authority. The coming round of Long Term Council Community Plans is the right place for a serious commitment to sustainable and enjoyable transport choices."

She believes that the path's construction could also protect the rail corridor from possible coastal erosion.

"The Great Harbour Way is a brilliant opportunity to combine public health, recreation, tourism, and affordable eco-friendly transport in one exciting package!" enthuses the keen walker and cyclist.

* http://www.dietandcancerreport.org

Celia Wade-Brown
President, Living Streets Aotearoa
P O Box 25-424 Wellington
home - 04 938 6691; mobile - 027 483 6691
Living Streets office - 04 385 8280

17 June, 2008: Children Want to Walk to School

Living Streets Aotearoa says the recent Ministry of Health report A Portrait of Health is an indictment of New Zealand's urban form and transport options.

Fewer than half of children aged 5 to 14 years use active transport (walk, run, cycle, scoot or skate) to get to school.

"The journey to school offers an easy way to be active and forms the active transport habit early", says Councillor Celia Wade-Brown. Children can also get exercise by walking part of the journey to the bus or train.

The two top reasons given by parents and care givers for not encouraging their children to walk to school are living too far away from school (67.5%) and busy and dangerous traffic (23%).

Only 4.4% said it was because the children didn't want to walk.

Living Streets President, Celia Wade-Brown, urges the Ministry of Education to consider sustainable transport when locating schools. Her own sons walk to the bus or skate to school.

"We want metropolitan Councils to build walkable communities where children can safely walk to school, to restrict urban sprawl, and to use travel demand management to encourage parents to leave the car at home."

Secondary schools could do more to encourage walking, cycling and catching the bus by reducing parking for students.

Ref - NZ Health Survey http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/7601/$File/transport-to-school-ch2.pdf

For more information:
Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa (04) 938 6691, 0274836691
Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 385 8280, 021 106 4201

11 June, 2008: Txting ties up the brain as well as the hands!

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown, says the Government's proposal to ban hand held phones is welcome but doesn't go far enough.

"The study Transport Research Laboratory (UK) carried out for Direct Line insurance company, published in March 2002, showed that even a hands-free phone impaired reaction times MORE than being at the legal limit of alcohol use. Social pressure is against drink-driving and the majority of people are against phone-driving."

"It's bad enough that drivers texting or talking don't indicate or change gear appropriately because their hands are full. They are not concentrating on the road so they won't notice dangers and can't brake early enough. Using a phone in a moving car is not safe and must be banned." says the councillor and mother-of-two.

"Our children need to be safe enough on our roads to walk or cycle to school and to their friends or family. Elderly people must feel free to walk to the shops while they can, without the risk of being bowled because someone is chatting or texting on their mobile."

Shorter journeys will only be walked more rather than driven when people feel safe on foot. These "cold start" journeys contribute disproportionately to NZ's greenhouse emissions because engines run inefficiently before they are warmed up. Walking also contributes to mental and physical health, alertness and makes friendly neighbourhoods.

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa (04) 938 6691, 0274836691

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 472 8280, 021 106 4201.

3 June, 2008: Kick The Habit – more people walking more often!

See here for pdf version with letterhead.

For World Environment Day, Living Streets Aotearoa members are installing pou hikoi or “walking poles” in walkable communities throughout Wellington. The poles are painted black and white like a pedestrian crossing with shoes walking up and onwards! [see http://livingstreets.org.nz/foot_art.htm]

The poles will be up from Queen’s Birthday weekend in time for World Environment Day on the 5th of June.

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown, says “We are using this creative approach to highlight that walking is an enjoyable way to reduce CO2 emissions.”

One third of all trips taken in New Zealand are less than 2km. The walking poles are a reminder that many short trips could be a fun walk without the hassle of taking the car and finding a park.

Celia says “One km in a Honda Jazz produces 130g CO2, one km in a Landrover Discovery produces 266g CO2 whereas walking produces zero emissions because our fuel is renewable food!” [see http://rightcar.govt.nz]

Walking is a great way to get around – every day is different! Lily Linton, project co-ordinator, says “People telling us their walking stories say they love the changing views, connecting with nature, and the chance to unwind. You can listen to a tui’s call or step to the beat of your mp3 player. Getting around outdoors is a great tonic any time of the day.”

The theme for World Environment Day 2008 is “Kick the CO2 habit”, encouraging people to embrace a low carbon economy.

Living Streets acknowledges the support of Wellington City Council, Hirepool, volunteers from ANZ National, the Ministry for the Environment, The Salvation Army in Newtown, Volunteer Wellington and many shoe donors!

For more information contact:

Lily Linton ph 021 161 4516

Or Celia Wade-Brown ph 027 483 6691

19 March: Wellingtonians Walk 2 Work

Wellington’s weather smiled on between 250 and 300 people who took time out from their walk to work to fuel up on hot cross buns and coffee at Frank Kitts Park this morning.

Carol Comber of Living Streets Wellington, who co-ordinated Wellington's Walk 2 Work Day, said "It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the food and standing in the sunshine chatting to fellow commuters. Today was a wonderful celebration and a real reminder that walking is a great way to get to work."

Celia Wade-Brown, city councillor and president of Living Streets Aotearoa said “This is the first time we’ve organised the event and we were thrilled with the number of people who came along. This is the first step towards running an annual national walking event, similar to Go By Bike day.”

In brief speeches, Minister of Transport Annette King, Green MP Sue Kedgley and deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon all spoke of the need to promote walking for its environmental, health, economic and other benefits.

Councillor Andy Foster, who leads the council’s transport and Urban Planning portfolio, said that good urban design was important for supporting and encouraging walking.

Diana O’Neill from SPARC talked about walking as one of key elements of the Green Prescriptions programme.

Living Streets expressed their thanks for support from Wellington City Council, SPARC, the Wellington Company, Shoe Clinic and Go Wellington buses, and for breakfast food sponsorship from Commonsense Organics, Pandora and Caffe L’Affare.

Liz Thomas, Executive Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, PO Box 25424 Wellington 6146
Phone +64 4 385 8280, Fax +64 4 385 4962, Mobile 021 106 4201

18 March 2008: Health workers make healthy transport choices

Capital & Coast District Health Board is getting behind an initiative to get people out of their cars and into their walking shoes, as an easy way of getting exercise.

Tomorrow is Walk 2 Work Day, which is encouraging people to take the old fashioned mode of transport to their workplace.

C&C DHB staff who take part in the initiative will have the chance to win spot prizes as a reward for their choice to be active, says C&C DHB Travel Planner Jan Simmons.

“We’ve been promoting ‘Stepping Out Month’ and we’re looking forward to Walk 2 Work Day when a number of staff at our Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti sites will receive a prize pack containing goodies donated by local sponsors,” Jan says.

Living Streets Aotearoa is running a Walk 2 Work day breakfast in Frank Kitts Park, and has organised the prize packs for hospital staff who won’t be able to attend the breakfast in town.

C&C DHB has worked closely with Living Streets Aotearoa to promote walking to work, and also participates in the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) workplace travel plan programme.

About 50 spot prize winners will receive a GWRC “Smart Travel” discount card which entitles them to discounts at participating retailers around the region as an incentive to choose walking, cycling and public transport for commuting trips.

“Walking to work is fun, healthy and environmentally friendly, and in addition reduces pressure on parking around the hospitals. DHB staff have taken up the challenge and this is a way of saying well done and thank you to them,” Jan says.

For more information contact: Jan Simmons, Capital and Coast DHB Phone: (04) 385 5999 x 6273 or 021 023 90261 or Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa Phone: 021 106 4201.

6 March 2008: Food is the fuel of walkers

Walkers are invited to “fuel up” at Frank Kitts park this Wednesday morning from 7-9 am on their way to work.

“Whether you walk all the way to work, or catch the bus or train and then walk, it’s a great way to start the day,” says Liz Thomas, director of Living Streets Aotearoa.

“We invite you to come and celebrate with other active commuters, and enjoy some breakfast treats and spot prizes to help you on your way.”

According to the 2006 census, there are already over 15,000 Wellingtonians walking to work, with many more public transport users also walking as part of their journey.

Minister of Transport, the Hon Annette King, will be among the speakers at the event.

For more information:
Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa 027 483 6691
Carol Comber, Walk 2 Work event coordinator 027 205 4554

6 March 2008: Wellingtonians Walk 2 Work on Wednesday

Free breakfast treats are on offer in Frank Kitts Park between 7 and 9 am on Wednesday March 19th for Wellingtonians who walk all or part of their journey to work.

Walk 2 Work Day event coordinator, Carol Comber, says "Wellington walkers, come along for hot cross buns, fruit, tea and coffee on your way to work. There will be a prize for entering a Walk2Work Story on flyers distributed in the days before the event, at the breakfast, or downloaded from the Living Streets website www.livingstreets.org.nz.

A recent study prepared for The Wellington Company comparing staff travelling to work in different centres found twice as many Wellingtonians walk to work as Aucklanders.

This is backed up by Statistics data showing how Wellingtonians get to work. 45% use a car to get to work in Wellington but all other NZ cities have more than 60 or 70% car use.

Celia Wade-Brown, President of Living Streets Aotearoa, says "We should also include most bus and train passengers as walkers. Most of their journeys start or finish with a walk. Walking is something we can all do to reduce our fuel dependence."

She has interviewed several people who walk all or part of their journey to work. They appreciate Wellington's views, compactness and friendly feel. Many cite the benefits of climate-friendly transport as a reason for walking, as well as improved fitness and relaxation. Their walk to work journeys include:

35 minutes from the railway station to the hospital, for a medical social worker, every day come rain or shine
20 minutes along the waterfront from Oriental Bay for the Mayor twice a week
30 minutes for a Brooklyn consultant through Central Park to central government offices
1 hour run from Karori through the Town Belt to City Council once or twice a week
25 minutes from Hataitai through Mt Victoria walkways to Courtenay Place
20 minutes from the Island Bay bus to work in the mornings.

(contacts available on request)

30 minutes a day of brisk walking meets our minimum health needs for physical activity. A brisk walk helps people be alert for work in the morning and de-stress before getting home again. The 30 minutes doesn't have to be all in one go. Two sets of fifteen minutes will provide the same benefits.

For more information:
Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691
Carol Comber, Walk 2 Work event coordinator 027 205 4554

www.livingstreets.org.nz

Numbers of Wellingtonians travelling to work, by mode (from 2006 census)

6th March 2008: Cities must change to protect our health

Cities must be redesigned to make it much easier for people to be physically active as part of everyday life. This is the main finding in a report about to be released.

The report’s author, John White, says that submissions to the recent Health Select Committee Inquiry into Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes had a very strong message. “We need to make walking and cycling the easy and natural choice by the way we design urban areas”, Mr White said.

Professor Grant Schofield from AUT University, and an expert on physical activity and health, agreed with Mr White. “Cities that encourage walking and cycling are not just essential for our health”, he said. “They also provide a much more sustainable way of living in the twenty-first century.”

Celia Wade-Brown, president of Living Streets Aotearoa and a Wellington City Councillor, welcomed the report. “The report makes a compelling case for Councils to take much greater responsibility for the health effects of the built environment. Good footpaths, signage and calmer traffic are essential for active travel”, she said.

Mr White’s report is to be launched at a function in Wellington at 5.30pm on Tuesday 11 March hosted by Living Streets Aotearoa. Professor Schofield will be the main speaker.

For a copy of the invitation to the launch or for more information, contact
Liz Thomas liz.thomas at livingstreets.org.nz
385 8280 021 106 4201

27th February 2008: People on footpaths deserve a fair go

People on footpaths deserve the same consideration as people using mobility car parks, says walking advocacy group Living Streets Aotearoa.

Fines for those illegally using mobility car parks are set to rise to $150, while the fine for parking on a footpath remains at $40.

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown says, "Why do we care more about a person with disabilities if they drive than if they are on the footpath?"

While she welcomes the likely increase of the fine for mobility park transgressors up to $150, she urges Transport Minister Annette King to amend the Land Transport (Offences & Penalties) Regulations 1999 to send a clear message about the need to be considerate when parking one's car.

"People in wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking frames and blind people with canes or guide dogs need clear footpaths too."

"I'm very sympathetic about stopping mobility parks being abused by lazy people. I am also concerned about the number of vehicles parking on the footpath so they obstruct passage for wheelchairs, pushchairs and other pedestrians with limitations on their mobility."

The real cost of a fine for footpath parking continues to erode and isn't much of a disincentive at $40, given the unlikelihood of being ticketed.

Ms Wade-Brown initiated the yellow feet flyers used by Living Streets members to discourage footpath parking in their neighbourhoods.

"Often it's a case of not thinking about the problems other people face - whether it's children walking to school and being faced with vans driving up onto footpaths, or wheelchair users being forced onto the road where there aren't kerb ramps, or blind pedestrians having to negotiate their way around vehicles that may have items protruding dangerously that cannot be detected by a cane."

"People need to think of each others' needs before their own convenience. Sometimes drivers think they are helping other drivers by keeping out of the road carriage on narrow streets - but then the most vulnerable people suffer."

Living Streets member, Alexia Pickering, says, "Last Saturday I was unable to access a footpath leading to my apartment because a van had parked itself lengthwise on the footpath outside. I had to travel along the road in my wheelchair and was helped up onto the footpath by a stranger who came to my assistance."

Ms Wade-Brown, who is also a Wellington City Councillor, encourages Council staff and Parkwise to look after people's best interests and resist caving into lazy drivers' demands. "Places to park will always be limited in a compact walkable city. There's no inalienable right to park on the footpath outside one's own garage!"

She attributes some of the problem to the high car ownership in New Zealand - currently around 627 cars per 1,000 people.

Living Streets Aotearoa is New Zealand’s national walking and pedestrian advocacy group.

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691
Liz Thomas, Director Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 or 021 106 4201

www.livingstreets.org.nz

12th February 2008: Down with speed say walking advocates

Walking advocates are calling for lower traffic speeds as the most effective way of improving road safety.

The call follows the death of former Air Accident Inspector Ron Chippindale who was struck by a car this morning.

Director of Living Streets Aotearoa, Liz Thomas, says “While we don’t know the exact circumstances of this tragic accident, we know that lowering traffic speeds reduces the frequency and severity of accidents.”

“The message is simple: down with speed for safer roads.”

Councils in New Zealand are heeding this message and introducing low speed zones around schools and in residential areas where the speed limit is 30 km/hr.

Ms Thomas says “We welcome this sensible road safety measure, and call for its wide-spread introduction throughout New Zealand.” If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, the severity of their injuries is related to the impact speed. According to Land Transport New Zealand, the probability of death for a pedestrian falls steeply from 70 percent at 50 km/hr to 10 percent at an impact speed of 30 km/hr. Living Streets Aotearoa is New Zealand’s national walking and pedestrian advocacy group.

For more information: Liz Thomas, Director Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 or 021 106 4201; Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691

www.livingstreets.org.nz

9 November 2007: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective

“Newly elected members must fight the obesity epidemic on the streets of our cities!” says Celia Wade-Brown. Ms Wade-Brown has just been re-elected as President of Living Streets Aotearoa and enters her fifth term as a city councillor.

A landmark report “Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective” has been published by World Cancer Research Fund International / American Institute for Cancer Research. http://www.dietandcancerreport.org

It includes a large body of peer-reviewed scientific data and emphasises the link between obesity and a large range of different cancers. Food intake, specific foods and lack of activity are jointly the problem.

Most people have habitual levels of activity below levels to which humans are adapted. Other studies have shown that urban environments make a difference to people’s obesity – walkable places like Manhattan show populations with a lower BMI (body-mass index) than sprawl like Dallas.

New councillors can make walkable cities a public health priority. New District Health Board members must press their Councils to consider health effects of town planning.

Current policy and practice is not enough to tackle the obesity epidemic. We have to tackle the root cause of the obesogenic environment we have created.

"It is unacceptable to simply sit back and accept an environment that is making us, as a society, unhealthy. The key change is moving from a car dominated streets to streets that are walkable. Those who design and manage our streets must put the needs of pedestrians first. This is about taming the car, not excluding it altogether. ” "Key to a long term change is to make sure that walking becomes a habit when young, and that the decline in the number of children walking to school is reversed.”

Celia Wade-Brown President Living Streets Aotearoa

P O Box 25-424 Wellington New Zealand - home - 04 938 6691 mobile - 027 483 6691

Living Streets office - 04 385 8280 www.livingstreets.org.nz

8th March 2007: MAKING CHILDREN COUNT!

"We manage what we measure", says Celia Wade-Brown, "so we must count whether children are walking to school just as we count commuters trips."

This week's Feet First Walk to School Day highlighted that many Councils don't know whether numbers walking to school are declining or not. Anecdotal evidence is a poor policy basis so all metropolitan areas need to measure this important indicator at a regional and district level.

During Wednesday's debate on the Wellington City Council's draft Annual Plan, Celia Wade-Brown succeeded in getting a commitment to a new annual measure. The Council unanimously accepted her amendment "add an annual performance measure of the percentage of primary school children walking to school."

Around the country there are programmes like Walking School buses and Walking Wednesdays. These usually need some engineering work by Councils to improve the safety and walkability of suburban streets designed when the car was seen as the priority mode of travel. "Now more and more people recognise that walking is the healthiest way to get to school for primary school children." says Ms Wade-Brown.

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa

P O Box 25-424, Wellington, New Zealand

Home 04 938 6691, LSA office 04 472 8280

6th March 2007: STARTING THE DAY THE WALKING WAY

"Feet First is an excellent initiative to encourage children to walk more," says Celia Wade-Brown, President of Living Streets Aotearoa. "Walking to school helps children observe more, keep fit, and arrive alert and ready to learn. It also enables caregivers to have a healthy start to their day."

"Walking school buses help make neighbourhoods friendlier," says the mother-of-two who took turns to lead an Island Bay Walking School Bus. "Older children can walk in smaller groups and experience some independence and social interaction.

Councils have an important part to play in improving road safety so children are safe to walk to school. Some arterial roads are seriously off-putting to starting the day on foot."

Ms Wade-Brown, who is also a Wellington City Councillor, says "Most Councils have a huge gap in their transport planning because they just don't know whether children are walking to school or not."

On Wednesday she will move an amendment to the draft Annual Plan to include the percentage of children walking to primary schools as an annual performance measure, and urges other Councils to do likewise.

Living Streets Aotearoa supports more community friendly streets - attractive environments, street trees, more moderate speeds and better land use so destinations are closer to people's homes.

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 and 021 106 4201

27th February 2007: WALKING BENEFITS OUTWEIGH DANGERS

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia W-B, says the positives of walking to school far outweigh the negatives.

Arriving at school alert, making friends with children in the neighbourhood, understanding their local geography, and unwinding after a day in the classroom, as well as the more obvious benefits of healthy exercise and reduced vehicle emissions and congestion, mean that walking is a must in the 21st Century.

"'Stranger danger' along footpaths to school is an over-hyped myth" says the mother-of-two. "The number of such incidents is extremely rare - it’s not strangers that are a threat to children. They face much more danger from vehicle accidents while being driven to school or at the school gate."

"Traffic danger is real, but walking school buses, groups with an older sibling or parents taking time to walk with their daughters and sons can overcome that. Another benefit is that walking always encourages talking. It’s a great time to find out what your child feels about school while you walk there with them."

Walking their children to school gives parents an opportunity to carry on their own journeys sustainably - whether back home with baby in the pushchair, by bus to the city, or on foot or by cycle to work.

We encourage every family and every member of the family to enjoy Walk to School Week!

Living Streets Aotearoa supports more community friendly streets - attractive environments, street trees, more moderate speeds and better land use so destinations are closer to people's homes.

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 and 021 106 4201

5th February 2007 "SAFER STREETS SAVE KIDS"

Living Streets Aotearoa president, Celia Wade-Brown, welcomes the New Zealand Police “Speed Kills Kids” campaign. Anyone caught travelling faster than 54 km/hr within a 250m radius of schools and kindergartens will receive a speeding ticket.

"This is a good start", the Councillor and mother of two says. "However, children and pedestrians should be able to travel safely all round our towns and cities. Children go to sports and cultural activities, or just to see their friends. 50k should mean 50k. Living Streets Aotearoa supports lower speeds in residential areas or near major destinations.

Weekends are also times when children should be able to get to beaches, pools, soccer, libraries or the cinema independently. The current Police initiative ignores weekends.

The risk of death to pedestrians relative to motor vehicle speed rises from 10 per cent at 30kph to 70 per cent at 50kph and 90 per cent at 60kph. (ARTA figures)

Many places in Europe have traffic calmed 30kph residential zones. These support a more community-friendly environment for the elderly as well as children and families.

Speedometers are more accurate than they used to be. Celia says "There is no excuse for going too fast where children might be crossing. Leave a little earlier if you need to drive somewhere and relax! You'll save fuel, money and reduce carbon dioxide too."

Living Streets Aotearoa supports more community friendly streets - attractive environments, street trees, more moderate speeds and better land use so destinations are closer to people's homes.

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 and 021 106 4201

13th December 2006 “GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ACT FOR OUR SAFETY” SAY WALKERS

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown, says the Government's Road Safety Policy Statement doesn't go far enough.

Tolerance of excess speed must be reduced, not just round schools, which is a first step, but elsewhere - or are children only allowed to go to and from school?

The way traffic can turn while a pedestrian has a green light increases danger but there's no move to change the legality of this operation.

Why has the Government resiled from banning cellphone use while driving?

For more information:

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa (04) 938 6691, 0274836691

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 472 8280, 021 106 4201.

11th December, 2006: MORE PEOPLE WALKING

More people are walking to work, but walking remains the “invisible mode” of transport.

“Over two and a half thousand more people walked or jogged to work in 2006 then in 2001, according to the census” says Liz Thomas, Director of Living Streets Aotearoa.

“However, the question in the census asks for the main way of travel to work. Most people using public transport also walk at one or both ends of their trip, but this is not counted. When I travel to work, the longest distance is by bus, but I spend longer walking than on the bus.”

“The figures show that walking as the main mode of travel to work declined by .1%. But if you added on the 12,000 extra people who used trains and buses, and walked to the station or bus stop, the picture would be very different.”

“Walking to work is a great way to start the day, is good for one’s health and helps to cut down the number of cars on the road, and the resulting pollution. Less cars on the road benefits everyone.”

Last year Land Transport New Zealand published a national strategy aimed at getting more people to use active modes – walking and cycling – for shorter journeys. The plan is now being implemented, but needs to be funded adequately. Only 1% of transport funding is spent on walking and cycling at present.

“It doesn’t make sense to be spending more and more money building roads each year, with the rising cost of fuel, and concern about climate change caused by greenhouse gases,” says Thomas. “One third of trips are 2 kilometres or less, and if we could get people to leave their cars at home and walk these trips, it would be a great investment in future proofing the New Zealand economy.”

For more information:

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 472 8280, 021 106 4201.

10th November, 2006: CELL PHONE USE BY DRIVERS BAD FOR PEDESTRIANS

Cr Celia Wade-Brown, President of Living Streets Aotearoa, says "Driving while using a cellphone is not acceptable. It's worse than driving over the alcohol limit."

"It's not just the physical distraction, it's the sense of the driver being absent from the real driving situation. Trying to catch a driver's eye as a turning cyclist or pedestrian waiting at a crossing is MUCH more difficult if the driver's on the phone. " Celia, who lives in Island Bay, frequently walks or cycles around the city. She has a cellphone but always stops to phone or text.

"The study Transport Research Laboratory (UK) carried out for Direct Line insurance company, published in March 2002, showed that hands-free was almost as dangerous as hand-held. Reaction times using a hand-held were nearly 50% worse than under normal conditions. Even a hands-free phone impaired reaction times MORE than being at the legal limit of alcohol use.

Social pressure is against drink-driving and must turn against phone-driving."

"It's bad enough that drivers texting or talking don't indicate or change gear appropriately because their hands are full. They are not concentrating on the road so they won't notice dangers and can't brake early enough. Given the difference in chances of survival of a pedestrian being hit at 50k rather than 30k, this is unacceptable." says the councillor and mother-of-two.

"Our children need to be safe enough on our roads to walk or cycle to school. Elderly people must feel free to walk to the shops while they can, without the risk of being bowled because someone is chatting on their mobile. A serious business matter deserves more concentration than a chat while driving and a social call should never take priority over people's lives. Using a phone in a moving car is NOT SAFE and must be banned."

For more information: Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691

7th November, 2006: SCHOOL REZONING AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

Living Streets Aotearoa is concerned about the decision by the Churton Park school board to exclude children living less than a kilometre away from attending the school.

"This flies in the face of the government’s push for more sustainable transport modes" says Liz Thomas, director of Living Streets Aotearoa.

"It is understandable that the school needs to find a way of redefining their zone boundaries when there are too many pupils for the capacity of the school. The board has said that access to transport was one factor they used in coming to their decision. Surely priority should be given to children who live close enough to walk to school.

"Walking is the oldest transport mode, and is cheap, healthy and environmentally friendly. It encourages children to be independent. For younger children, walking school buses are a safe and sociable way to get to school.

"When the parents of today’s children went to school, about two thirds of them walked. Now about two thirds of children are driven to school. With rising petrol prices and increasing pollution and congestion on our roads and around our schools, walking makes a lot of sense."

She says that encouraging more children to walk to school will also help address the increase in child obesity.

"Starting children walking at an early age will set good healthy habits for the rest of their lives. Children can’t burn off energy if they are sitting in a car. Walking to school ensures that exercise is part of a child’s daily routine, rather than an optional extra.

"Setting the school zone boundary so that all the children who live within walking distance are included in the catchment area, is the first step to promoting walking as the preferred way of travel to and from school.

"More children walking to and from school will benefit the children’s health and encourage independence. The community will benefit from safer streets with less traffic and more people. Another positive spin-off is the pressure that more people walking will put on the council to ensure walking environments are safe, pleasant and attractive."

Living Streets Aotearoa is a national organisation which promotes and advocates for walking and pedestrian-friendly communities.

For more information:

Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, (04) 472 8280, 021 106 4201, liz.thomas at livingstreets.org.nz, PO Box 25 424 Wellington

3rd November 2006 - Hon Annette King signs International Charter for Walking

The Second New Zealand Walking Conference was held in Christchurch on the 3rd and 4th November.

Living Streets Aotearoa supports the “International Charter for Walking”. Many delegates signed the charter individually.

Celia Wade-Brown, President of Living Streets Aotearoa, says “We’re delighted that the first person at the conference to sign the charter is our Minister of Transport, the Hon Annette King MP, who is very supportive of walking for health and transport. This should put walking higher up Council's priorities too.”

The charter’s key focus is “Creating healthy, efficient and sustainable communities where people choose to walk.”

A range of national and international presenters have emphasised that walking is essential for health, friendly communities, children’s independence and reduces climate change effects too.

Ms Wade-Brown says,” Our cities and towns could be made much more attractive for walking. Locating shops, work and recreation facilities close together makes walking possible. Lower speeds, less traffic, smoother footpaths and better signs help too.”

The Charter can be found at www.walk21.com

Contact Celia Wade-Brown 027 483 6691

Go here for Annette King's presentation to 2006 conference

1st November 2006 - Launch of Newtown & Berhampore Walking Map

On Monday evening, October 30, the Newtown & Berhampore Walking Map produced by Living Streets Aotearoa was officially launched at the Newtown Community Centre.

There was a healthy amount of walking fuel - apples, oranges , bananas, bread and cake!

Travel Planner at Capital & Coast DHB, Jan Simmons said how useful the map was for showing staff options for walking to public transport, their homes, or just a pleasant stroll at lunchtime. Ms Simmons said " We've distributed the map to new staff who are finding their way around Newtown, and to participants in our Walking Challenge event. Our chaplain sometimes gives them to relatives of patients so they can take time out going for a relaxing walk."

Jo Washbourn, driver of one of the hospital shuttle buses, took a map pad to give maps to his passengers.

Cr Celia Wade-Brown encouraged people to enjoy walking in such an interesting area . "In half an hour, you can see 19th century cottages, lovely views all the way to the city harbour and enjoy a coffee at one of the many good cafes in Newtown. From the zoo to the hospital is only about fifteen minutes on foot but one can also make a circuit round Newtown that takes three hours."

She says "Walking is for everyone - to school, work, friends or the shops! The more journeys we walk instead of drive, the better for our health and the planet's climate. Walking is good for physical and mental health, cheap, friendly and helps the local shops thrive."

Several of the community members present had helped put information together for the map. People from The Cancer Society, the Harriers Club and the Newtown Residents Association were all pleased with the map.

One suggestion from the evening was to show dog exercise areas.

Another was to set up walking groups for different migrant groups so they could learn about their suburb together.

Feedback is welcome to newtown at livingstreets.org.nz . Any suggestions before 31st December go into a draw for a $100 Newtown New World voucher.

Copies of the map is available from Newtown Library and through Living Streets, and it's online at http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/wellington.html.

Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa

P O Box 25-424, Wellington, New Zealand

Home 04 938 6691, LSA office 04 472 8280

Living Streets Aotearoa Inc., P.O. Box 25-424, Wellington, New Zealand. Internet: info at livingstreets.org.nz