Leaving the car at home and using active transport, like your bike, scooter or even skateboard has many benefits including improved physical fitness, pollution control, and getting some fresh air.

Southland organisations have worked together to create the Active Transport initiative, a plan for making active travel more accessible in Southland.

Collaboration has been an important part of the Active Transport initiative. By working together and utilising collective funding, organisations like Invercargill City Council (ICC), Southland District Council (SDC) and Active Southland want to see more people on wheels in Southland.

Active Transport Innovator (Laura Dowling) is busy working in the wider Southland community, advocating for healthy transport choices. Jointly funded by Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Active Southland, Laura frequently works at schools and community events to help increase the confidence of young people to use active transport, growing the next generation of active travellers.

Through the Active Transport initiative, various projects have been implemented to make active transport an easier choice in Southland.

Tunatuna the Murihiku Pop Up Pump Track:

This portable pump track is the result of a major collaborative effort between community organisations, councils, and funders. All three local councils, Cycling Southland, and local cycle clubs have been involved. Groups have come together for the first time, encouraging them to think differently about how they engage with the community, and the role they play in active transport.

Tunatuna has been a safe place for users to practice and increase their confidence on bikes, scooters, and skateboards, so they’re more likely to use active transport going forward.

Cycling Southland Major Events and Pathways Manager Glen Thomson said Tunatuna had taught us a lot. “Kids don’t need coached on how to use it, it’s just get on and go, and the kids gain a lot of confidence that way.”

The response to the track has been overwhelmingly positive and helped identify locations and need for permanent tracks. Bluff Community Board member Tammi Topi said: “The joy we have seen it bring to so many tamariki and whānau has been amazing, as well as the positive stories shared. This experience will be extremely helpful as we look to get a permanent skills track. Ngā mihi nui to all the sponsors and kaimahi involved. This is what true collaboration looks like."

To complement the track, ‘Have a Go’ sessions have also been run. Cycling Southland provide bikes, scooters, helmets and coaching and the public is invited to have a go at riding around the Tunatuna track. These sessions are supported by Active Southland’s Healthy Families Invercargill team. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and build confidence in a safe environment.

Aotearoa Bike Challenge:

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is about getting more people riding bikes to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family, get out into nature, and protect our environment by leaving the car at home. Laura Dowling says: “I have really enjoyed engaging with other businesses in Southland to help challenge and encourage the different teams to log their rides for some healthy competition. I feel inspired to continue growing my confidence on wheels after seeing the joy and benefits others receive while cycling.”

Oli Cameron, from Great South, has enjoyed participating in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge 2024. He says: “It has been super fun and personally empowering replacing petrol-powered journeys with pedal-power! I get to work and back quicker on my e-bike than in my truck, and there’s no wasted time finding a park and walking for several blocks.”

Active Transport Plans for Schools:

Through the Active Transport initiative Southland primary schools now have a better understanding of how to enable active transport to and from school safely with the help of Active Transport Plans. Tailored to each school and their local community, these plans have the goals of improving transport safety and increasing active transport to and from Southland primary schools.

Winton, Windsor North, and Te Anau primary schools had all indicated concerns around active transport. To make any changes, it was very important to understand the children’s point of view, and what transport safety means to them, as well as capturing the voice of whānau and the community. The children at Windsor North did a wonderful job promoting safe active transport to and from school in their own travel video. The video encourages us all to take responsibility for road safety while promoting all the physical and environmental benefits of taking an active way to school instead of the family vehicle.

The emphasis on active travel to and from school has led to students seeking more recreational opportunities based on active travel. Winton School principal Steve Wadsworth says: “As part of our collaboration with Active Southland and the Active Transport initiative, we have collected more student voice around quality play and physical activity options at Winton School. This has led to students coming up with the idea of having our very own Pump Track and Bike Track with several students assisting in the planning stages.”

Active Transport Plans:

Active Transport Plans have also been created for local businesses. The purpose of these plans is to help businesses support employees to use active transport methods in their commute to and from work, and during the workday. Regional development agency Great South was the pilot organisation, with the vision of creating a travel plan that can be used as a template for other businesses. Also helpful was the provision of e-bikes from the Invercargill City Council. The creation of these plans, and the willingness of organisations/businesses to get involved, demonstrates that our community values active transport.

It’s easy to just jump in the car, but there are a lot of benefits to active transport – physical, environmental, even economic. The Active Transport initiative is a collaborative effort, leading to more people on wheels in Southland. Organisations such as ICC, SDC and Active Southland are continuing to work together to make positive changes in our community.

Article added: Friday 24 January 2025