Right Way message well received

People are becoming increasingly receptive to the idea of changing the way they travel on a daily basis said Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander, in the wake of the second annual Right Way campaign.

The Council’s Right Way initiative aimed to encourage people to commit to travelling in a different way for at least one day in March. People were asked to register their intentions and everyone who participated was entered in the draw to win a bike and a month’s free travel with Connectabus.

The winner of the prize pack, drawn under police supervision, was Mariana Sayagues of Queenstown. Mariana and her flatmates committed to walking to work and only making one joint trip to the supermarket every week instead of many individual trips.

“Not everyone lives close enough to their workplace to be able to walk to and from work every day but Mariana’s example in cutting down on trips to the supermarket is an easy one to follow, “said Mr Mander.” Change doesn’t always have to be radical to make a difference.”

He said this year’s Walk’n’Wheels week, run through local primary schools had also been a success with a district wide increase of 40% more children choosing to walk or cycle to school.

“Walk’n’Wheels week has been successful in getting the kids out of their parent’s cars and onto the footpaths or onto their bikes,” Mr Mander said. “Walk’n’Wheels and its focus on skills and emphasis on safety has helped raise awareness and build confidence amongst young local children. We hope what they’ve learned during the week will stay with them and help them continue to travel the right way when they’re older.”

All schools who participated in Walk’n’Wheels week went into the draw to win one of two bikes, kindly donated by Element in Queenstown and Racers Edge in Wanaka. The winners were Arrowtown School (QT) and Holy Family (Wanaka)