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West Coast Regional Walking and Cycling Strategy

Increased walking and cycling activity can bring many benefits to the West Coast region. Transit New Zealand, West Coast Councils and other agencies are working together to develop a regional walking and cycling strategy. The strategy aims to identify the level of walking and cycling already happening in the region, as well as establish the issues and future needs for increasing walking and cycling activity. The strategy will provide an overarching framework from which councils, agencies and others can develop specific action and targets. In addition this will assist future funding applications to improve walking and cycling across the region.

View summary of proposed stategy

About the Strategy

Strategy development is being managed by Transit New Zealand, and overseen by a steering group that reports to the West Coast Regional Land Transport Committee. This committee recognises walking and cycling as an important part of having a transport system which is safe, efficient, healthy and good for the environment.

Delivery of the strategy requires an approach that will address access, safety and sustainability. To do this, a combination of facility improvements, education, and promotion of walking and cycling activity will be used.

Benefits

Benefits of a regional walking and cycling strategy include improved public health, greater environmental sustainability and transport choice, and easing traffic issues around high use areas such as schools and key tourist destinations. This can improve road safety through the creation of safer environments and education programmes, while increased cycling and walking can improve community environments and access.

Encouraging walking and cycling also has economic benefits with decreasing car use for short trips, as well as attracting longer distance activities such as cycle tourism, resulting in longer visitor stay times.

Give us your views

We welcome your comments about developing the strategy.

To submit feedback, please use the feedback form above and:

• email it to westcoastwalkcycle@transit.govt.nz
• fax it to 03 365 6576 or
• post it to Transit New Zealand Christchurch Regional Office, PO Box 1479.

Submissions close Friday 30 May 2008.