Living Streets Aotearoa e-bulletin
December 2014
Feel like you should be in two different places this Christmas. This photo is a real direction board from Oakley Creek Auckland (don't ask).
Merry Christmas from Living Streets Aotearoa. It has been a pedestrian year with our team of volunteers. We have just all been to the 2Walkand Cycle conference in Nelson, that we organise along with Cycle Advocates Network. There were 180 people attending and it is now seen as the trade conference for walking and cycling in NZ. Walk 21 (International Walking Conference) was in Sydney and I (Andy Smith) was there for the 4 days along with our first President and now Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
During the 10 years I have been attending Walk21 the emphasis has gone from Footpath Audits to shared space and now its about lower speeds for vehicles to make better streets. Too many adults and children are at risk of death when cars are going faster than 30kph. Put residential street at 30 then join into 40 and 50kph roads. This speed reduction will only add 35 seconds to your car journey in most suburban neighbourhoods.
Our AGM was in Nelson during the conference. See the results here at www.livingstreets.org.nz/our_people. We need you to help us and be on the exec committee. Its only 5 phone meetings a year and one full day where we all meet up (expenses paid), please the special project work you put in. Email us if you have the time and enthusiasm.
Here are some articles of interest.
Living Streets Aotearoa is proud to present in 2014 the 4th Golden Foot Walking Awards. The 4 Walking Award Category Winners are
Read More http://www.livingstreets.org.nz/node/4875
Walkable urban spaces have a higher amount of wealth and a larger number of college graduates than less walkable areas. From an increase in money spent per week to decreased crime rates—the benefits of walkability are beneficial to all. Learn about walkable urbanism and how it helps drive the economy.
Read More www.custommade.com/blog/walkable-urbanism/?utm_content=buffer51636
The white diamond markings on the road before pedestrian crossings are to warn drivers they are approaching a crossing. The markings are not intended to indicate to pedestrians when it is safe to cross.
Read More http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11349056
New York Mayor signs law to lower speeds to 25mph (30kph)
Read More www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bill-de-blasio-signs-law-speed-limit-25-mph-article-1.1989397#
Mangere Central, one of the country's most economically and socially challenged enclaves, is in line for an urban project that will make walking and cycling safer.
Read More http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11329562
This checklist of essential age-friendly city features is based on the results of the WHO Global Age-Friendly Cities
Read more www.who.int/ageing/publications/Age_friendly_cities_checklist.pdf
A busy Tauranga pedestrian crossing was listed as the most dangerous in the country before it was removed late last year.
Read more www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11301283
Europe
is going car-free (and loving it).
Looking
to reduce pollution and congestion, European cities are banning
vehicular traffic — and creating vibrant shopping zones in the
process.
Read
more: //www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/europe-is-going-car-free-and-loving-it#ixzz3K8baTYhh
Walking is the new sitting. Business leaders take their meetings to the streets.
Read More: www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-30/walking-is-the-new-sitting-for-decision-makers.html