Hundreds of children have been recognised for their involvement in Auckland Transport's Travelwise programme.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Auckland Transport Chief Executive David Warburton have congratulated the children, parents and teachers for their work in making it safer and easier to walk or cycle to school.
Changing the way we get to school
Travelwise is an Auckland Transport programme working with local communities and partners including NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Council and NZ Police to promote and encourage walking and cycling instead of using private vehicle trips to and from school. The objective is to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.
To achieve this, AT works with Travelwise schools on various initiatives like organising walking school buses, holding safety workshops, and implementing changes in the road corridor to improve safety.
Getting kids moving
Melanie Sands, aged 11, from Hillsborough Primary School says she prefers walking to getting a lift. "I don't like car rides because it's stuffy and cramped compared with being outside with the birds and fresh air."
Nicola Girling, principal of Hillsborough Primary School, says parents love knowing that their kids are safe travelling to school. "We have four walking school buses now and we will be adding another next year."
Awards received
At the Travelwise celebration at Queens Wharf yesterday, schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze status, based on their level of engagement and commitment to the Travelwise curriculum.
Of the 300 Auckland schools in the Travelwise programme in Auckland, 62 were awarded gold, 73 silver and 96 bronze.
