Mayor encourages 'Right Way' pledge

Hundreds of individuals, families and employees, to date, had signed up to travel the ‘Right Way’ in the Queenstown Lakes District for the month of March.

QLDC Mayor Clive Geddes has issued a challenge to encourage the community to think seriously about changing travel behaviour for a minimum of one day in the month of March.
“It’s great to see that we have now got 90 businesses, families and individuals having made the pledge. Potentially that’s hundreds of people getting behind the initiative,” Mr Geddes said.

With the looming forecast of increased fuel prices, combined with the need to reduce the number of vehicles travelling into the district’s main centres, together with the incentive to reduce CO2 emissions, ‘Right Way’ was more than a campaign.

It was about saving money, about being healthy and taking away frustrations like finding or paying for a carpark, not just for one day or one month but year round, said Mr Geddes, who had committed to riding a push bike and a motorbike during the month, whenever possible.

Travelling the ‘Right Way’ included car pooling or choosing to take the bike or walk or bus or take the car (if you travel long distance), park and then ride the bus or bike.

“We are only half way through the month so there is still plenty of time to take part,” he said.

A ‘Right Way’ pledge form was now online www.qldc.govt.nz or at a council office or library. Those signing up would receive a ‘right choice’ drink bottle and information bag. Everyone that signed up would also have their name or business in print on a full page roll of honour in the Mirror (Wakatipu) or Sun (Upper Clutha).