Walking and cycling conference looks at transport integration for the future

The national 2Walk&Cycle conference will address transport issues that will help improve the lifestyle of everyone in the community.

The conference is to be held next week in Hastings with the theme “Creating Smarter Connections”. It will focus on identifying actions which will help enhance walking and cycling in towns and cities around the country.

President of Living Streets Aotearoa Andy Smith says “Walking is the glue that connects all forms of transport. It’s one of the first things we learn to do and it’s the last thing we want to give up as it brings us both physical and mental health. During this conference we will look into what motivates us to walk and how we and our society can benefit from more walking.”

The conference has attracted key note speakers from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Billie Giles-Corti is the director of the McCaughey Centre Melbourne: the VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Well Being;

Roger Geller has been Portland, Oregon’s bicycle coordinator since 2000 and has been with the city’s Bicycle Program since 1994.

Nigel Latta is a well known New Zealand psychologist, author and television presenter.

Alistair Woodward is the head of the School of Population Health at Auckland University.

The conference will include the announcement of the winners of the LSA Golden Foot awards and the 2011/12 CAN Cycle Friendly. Nine awards will be handed out including the first ever joint award for the Best Walking/Cycling project.

Around 70 speakers will take the stage at the 2Walk&Cycle Conference which will be held at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings from the 22nd to the 24th of February.