Walk'N'Wheels Week On The Way

Local school children will be encouraged to get moving when Walk’n’Wheels Week launches at the end of February.

The district-wide event promotes safe walking and cycling as good transport choices for children travelling to and from school and is being run by the Queenstown Lakes District Council in partnership with Sport Central, Racers Edge, Element, NZ Police and local schools.

QLDC transport manager Denis Mander said Walk’n’Wheels Week was a proven success in helping to develop children’s road safety skills and increasing their confidence on the road.

“The in-school activities undertaken as part of the Walk’n’Wheels Week have seen the number of children walking or biking to school or to the bus stop increase,” he said.

“One aim is to teach children how to ride safely when cycling in traffic as well as building confidence and giving them the skills to make good decisions, whether they’re on bike or on foot.”

Walk’n’Wheels activities vary from school to school and include a cycle championship for senior students at Wanaka and Holy Family Primary Schools and a “hazard spotting” ride for Arrowtown’s Year 7 and 8 students. Remarkables School will hold walking and biking safety sessions along with ‘Fancy Feet’ and ‘Dress Your Bike’ competitions.

The schools that get at least 50% of their students walking or wheeling over the week will go in the draw to win a bike courtesy of Racers Edge (Wanaka) and Element (Queenstown).

“There will be an increase in the number of children on the roads during Walk’n’Wheels Week and as always we’re asking drivers to give young walkers and cyclists extra time and space on the road to ensure they have a safe journey to school,” Mr Mander said.

“Helping our children to be more active is important and it would also be good to see parents encouraging children to carry on biking and walking after Walk’n’Wheels Week is over.”

Walk’n’Wheels Week runs from Monday 27 February to Friday 2 March.