Active Transport

This measure relates to:
Te OrangaWaioraToioraTe Mana Whakahaere
"less cars on the road. This would promote use of public transport and healthier travelling means. A system of community bicycles that can be used by the community would be great. This has been done successfully in other NZ communities"  [City Health Profile participant]
 

Walking and cycling for trips that meet our everyday needs provide physical activity and social connectedness, and enhance safety by acting as "eyes on the street".  Walking and cycling are low impact forms of exercise in which almost everyone can participate.  Public transport is also defined as "active transport" given that there is usually a physically active component to public transport trips.

In 2006, 5.1% of Christchurch commuters travelled to work by bike, down from 8.9% in 1991.  Safety concerns, lack of skills and confidence, and poor cycling facilities all contribute to declining numbers of adults cycling. 4.5% of commuters walked or jogged to work, a percentage which has remained relatively steady since 1991.  4.1% of commuters travelled by bus, up from 3.4% in 1996.

The percentage of children cycling to school declined by 15% between 2002 and 2008.  Parents' perceptions of danger from traffic and from children being unaccompanied has been found elsewhere to lead to fewer children cycling and walking.

Read the full issue summary for active transport [PDF] - updated June 2013.

"More support for cycling - cycle lanes, car driver 'share the road'-type education, and road cleanup would be good, as everyone in my family but me has had a run-in with a car (I've had many near-misses), and large amounts of loose gravel or similar on the road can make cyclists lose control and crash. Cycling keeps us fit and healthy and should be encouraged. Cycling promotion would also be good to get other people out and exercising, as physical activity plays a huge role in health. "  [City Health Profile participant]