Today is World Health Day and this year, with more than three billion people now living in cities, the World Health Organisation is focussing on urban health with a campaign called ‘1000 cities, 1000 lives’.

Dunedin is the only New Zealand city to join the campaign, which seeks a commitment from 1000 cities to open public spaces to health for one day during the week 7-11 April, and the Dunedin City Council is supporting it with several events during the week:

8 April - Lunchtime Bike Ride, Meet 1pm Octagon
Meet at 1pm in the Octagon for a ride out to Marlow Park and behind the gate across John Wilson Ocean Drive. This ride is gentle and will last about 40-45mins (30 minutes for the fit ones).

Confirm your place on the ride by emailing DCC Safe and Sustainable Travel Co-Ordinator, Charlotte Flaherty, at cflahert@dcc.govt.nz by 5.00pm Wednesday, 7 April.

9 April - Walk with HWTM Peter Chin, Meet 12 Noon Octagon
Meet at 12 noon at the bottom of the steps to the Municipal Chambers in the Octagon for a walk that should take between 15 and 40 minutes depending on weather and choice of route. There is a rainy-day contingency walk.

10 April - Health and Fitness at Wall Street Retail Complex, 11am to 1pm
Moana Pool is hosting a spin bike challenge for the public.

More information about the WHO campaign is available at www.1000cities.who.int, including an interactive map listing each city’s activities.