Active a2b - An easy way to improve wellbeing
Registrations for Active a2b have now closed for 2010.
About 900 people, from 50 workplaces in the Wellington CBD, took part in Active a2b, a health and wellbeing programme run by Greater Wellington to encourage people to walk or cycle to work. Active a2b aims to transform your trip to work into something valuable.
The programme finishes officially at the end of May, but a lot of participants have indicated they will continue with their newly-formed habits of walking or cycling to and from work.
A recent evaluation survey found that among the 214 people who said, when they registered, that they drove to work at least twice a week, their average number of car trips to work had decreased from 82% to 61%. The average number of walking trips to work among this group had increased from seven to 15 percent, cycling trips rose from five to 14 percent and public transport trips had increased from six to 10 percent. To read the Active a2b Final Report click here.
Ping Sim, Greater Wellington’s sustainable transport planner, says several features of the programme seemed to press the right buttons for people. “Active a2b participants told us the timing of the programme, starting in January, was perfect. They may have over-indulged a little at Christmas and New Year and were keen to shed that extra kilo or two.”
The fact that the programme catered for individual needs was another big draw card. “Everyone has different needs and motivations so Active a2b gave individualised support to help each participant make changes at their own pace. Each person could do as much as they felt comfortable with and support was there along the way.”
A brochure will be available soon to give you useful tips on keeping well and safe as you walk and cycle to work in winter.
Why would you want to walk or cycle to work?
- You’ll get fitter. Even 10-15 minutes of walking or cycling twice a day is enough to give you significant health benefits. The more and further you walk or cycle, the fitter you get.
- You’ll arrive at work energised, alert and ready to face the day.
- For people who live within 5km of their CBD workplace, cycling is the fastest way to get to work. Trips of 8 to 12 km in urban areas may take the same time or less on a bike than by car. For both cycling and walking, you can go from door to door without congestion or parking problems.
- You’ll save money on transport. Once you have a bike or a pair of comfortable shoes, walking and cycling are free. You might save money on a gym membership too.
- When you hit the streets on your bike or on your feet, it can be a social event. You’ll also be amazed at all the things going on around you that you never noticed from your car.
Our programme is designed to be personalised to every individual. Each participant receives a programme that effectively motivates and supports them to meet their own goals. Each programme is built from the following groups of tools:
Encouragement and progress measurement: A desktop calendar to record progress against goals, regular e-newsletters and an online cycling and walking journey planner complete with benefits calculator
Social support: Chances to win prize packs for participants and their supporters and family packs with tailored information for school and household journeys.
Advice information and training: One on one phone and email support from our personal travel planner and the invitation to attend free cycling workshops.
Active Travel Discount Card: Use this card to receive discounts and special offers at participating footwear, apparel or cycle shops.
See our tools page for more detail on what is available as part of Active a2b.