Home of the automobile now turning to walking and cycling

The USA, invariably seen as the "home of the automobile" is now showing "clean green" New Zealand how to better provide for walking and cycling, and an expert from there is in the country to tell us how.

Roger Geller, Bicycle Coordinator for Portland Oregon since 2000, is visiting New Zealand and will be speaking at 2Walk&Cycle, the national walking and cycling conference in Hastings this week.

Mr Geller will describe the steps Portland and other North American cities are taking to promote bicycle use as an essential element in urban transportation systems. Portland, historically an auto-focused city, has been able to put itself firmly on the path to becoming one of the world's most bicycle friendly cities. While Portland is the most successful example to date, with bicycle use exceeding 20% in some parts of town, other North American cities are making similarly rapid advances in shedding their car-centric ways, including New York, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Vancouver.

Conference convenor Glen Koorey says that there is a certain irony in having to look towards North America for advice on sustainable transportation. "For fifty years we followed them as they developed extensive freeway networks. Now they have realised that never ending road capacity does not work and are turning to other solutions - we should follow suit."

Mr Geller's presentation is one of nearly 80 being presented at the 3-day Conference, tackling a wide range of issues covering the planning, design and promotion of walking and cycling in New Zealand. Approximately 200 delegates will be attending, including politicians, policy-makers and practitioners. Delegates will also have the opportunity to sample recent "active transport" initiatives in Hastings, which is one the Government's Model Walking & Cycling Communities.

For more about the conference, visit the website: http://www.2walkandcycle.org.nz