NZ NGO or non-profit / community group

Toronto 1st

Summary of available information on the economic benefits of pedestrian areas with web links.

MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 6TH MARCH 2007"Feet First is an excellent initiative to encourage children to walk more," says Celia Wade-Brown, President of Living Streets Aotearoa. "Walking to school helps children observe more, keep fit, and arrive alert and ready to learn. It also enables caregivers to have a healthy start to their day." "Walking school buses help make neighbourhoods friendlier," says the mother-of- two who took turns to lead an Island Bay Walking School Bus. "Older children can walk in smaller groups and experience some independence and social interaction.

Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown, says the positives of walking to school far outweigh the negatives. Arriving at school alert, making friends with children in the neighbourhood, understanding their local geography, and unwinding after a day in the classroom, as well as the more obvious benefits of healthy exercise and reduced vehicle emissions and congestion, mean that walking is a must in the 21st Century.

"Stranger danger" along footpaths to school is an over-hyped myth" says the mother-of-two.

Study Auckland, in partnership with Auckland City and the Land Transport Safety Authority, has launched a new video and CD-ROM called \'Pedestrian Safety\' that helps international students learn to cross roads safely.

This submission builds on the previous comments Local Government New Zealand has made in Local Government New Zealand's (LGNZ) earlier submissions and discuss

Promoting healthy changes in New Zealand workplaces

Website promoting lunchtime walks in central Wellington