Burn off your festive fare - on your way to work
About 40 Wellington city workplaces (see list below) are taking part in Greater Wellington’s new Active a2b programme. Active a2b offers people tools and support, including a range of walking and cycling competitions and challenges, to help them get active on their way to work.
Programme coordinator, Claire Pascoe, says Active a2b was launched only last week and already more than 200 people have registered. “The start of a new year is a really popular time for setting new health goals. People who are registering are excited about the opportunity to receive personal encouragement and feedback.
“No two people have the same needs and motivations so Active a2b gives tailored support to help each participant make changes at their own pace. You do as much as you’re comfortable with and you’ve got someone actively helping you along the way.”
Claire says the three-month programme aims to make the time spent commuting to work a beneficial part of your day. “Getting into the fresh air, instead of your car, makes you feel less stressed, more invigorated and you’ll see so much more going on around you. Cycling or walking also takes you from door to door without congestion or parking problems.”
As part of the programme, a bike buddy scheme has been set up to match new riders with experienced cyclists. Claire says there’s already a strong interest from participating workplaces in the scheme.
“We’re getting queries from quite a few people who would really like to try cycling to and from work but haven’t ridden a bike in a while. They say they would like someone to accompany them for the first one or two trips and they’ll be away laughing.”
If you’re an experienced cyclist and are keen to help former riders re-discover the joy of cycling, or a new cyclist interested in giving it a go, then Greater Wellington would love to hear from you.
For more information, contact our media team
Active a2b Participants
Accident Compensation Corporation
Archives New Zealand
ASB Bank
Bell Gully
Capital & Coast District Health Board
Clemenger Group
Contact Energy
Datacom
Department of Conservation
Department of Corrections
Department of Internal Affairs
Eftpos NZ
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
Environmental Risk Management Authority
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Hewlett Packard
Holiday Inn, Wellington
IAG
Kiwibank
Massey University
Ministry of Economic Development
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Health
National Library
Niwa
NZ Bus
Opus Consultants
Parliamentary Service
The Quit Group
Russell McVeagh
SKM
Telecom
TelstraClear
Te Papa
Te Puni Kokiri
Transpower
Victoria University of Wellington
Waitangi Tribunal