Walk2work events will be held every Wednesday from March 24th (for 6 weeks)
Walking or cycling to work will see New Plymouth residents shouted a coffee by the New Plymouth District Council.
The initiative, aimed at reducing car use in the CBD, began yesterday and will continue each Wednesday for the next five weeks.
People who walk or cycle to work, or drive and park outside the CBD and then walk, can claim a free small coffee from Infusion cafe.
The programme is being held instead of the traditional Walk 2 Work day on March 10, when councils around the country reward walkers with a free breakfast.
The council's sustainable transport co-ordinator, Nathaniel Benefield, said while one day events created a spike of interest, that could tail off with time.
"I thought instead of one morning I'd spread it out over six weeks, keep the momentum going and get better results."
Mr Benefield said he did not know how much the final bill for the council would be. It would depend on the number of walkers, but he felt a few hundred dollars was worth it, if it helped change people's habits.
"Driving to work is a behavioural habit. It can be unlearned. There are environmental and social reasons to do it.
"Congestion, safety, people's health, having less cars in the CBD has to be better all around."
No proof of having walked or cycled is required, but Mr Benefield said people taking part would have to register their name and email address at Infusion.
He said he was hoping to use the next five weeks as a trial period. If other cafes were keen to come on board, and supply the coffee themselves, the project could continue into the future. There are also three Nike+ sportsbands to be won – one each fortnight.
In conjunction with the coffee offer, primary school kids from six schools who walk to school on a regular basis will be rewarded with a place on the "Walkers' Wall of Fame" in the Huatoki Plaza. This is large feet placed on the wall naming those who walk to school.
The six schools involved are West End, Frankley, Westown, Woodleigh, St Joseph's Catholic School and Devon Intermediate.
Mr Benefield said anecdotal evidence showed that kids dropped at school, when asked, said they would rather walk or bike.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/3502299/Council-foots-co...