New Zealand walking and cycling strategies – best practice

Print version: New Zealand walking and cycling strategies (PDF, 2.9 MB)

7. Conclusions

Collectively the New Zealand walking and cycling strategies represent a huge amount of expertise and effort by many staff, councillors, representatives of other agencies, members of walking and cycling groups and individuals over many years. This research has found that the existing strategies are very useful examples, but no single strategy represents ‘best practice’.

The better strategies, including those from overseas, provide useful models for structure and content for anyone interested in preparing or revising walking and cycling strategies. This report brings together the best examples of strategies, through the filter of an expert group, to facilitate the task of strategy development. It is expected that the report will help practitioners and interested members of walking and cycling groups and the general public to articulate and realise their visions for walking and cycling.

The development of an effective walking or cycling strategy is an art as much as a science. It needs to be tailored to local aspirations and conditions. The use of the best people (from near and far, as needed) can make the process satisfying and productive. The journey can be just as rewarding as the destination, as hinted at in the title of the national walking and cycling strategy Getting there!

A walking and cycling strategy is an important planning document and effort should be spent to get it right, and to review and refresh it regularly. But a strategy is only as good as its implementation. Successful implementation will take hard work, perseverance and collaboration amongst all stakeholders. Writing or revising a walking and cycling strategy, with the participation of stakeholders, is a powerful step in the right direction towards improving conditions for walking and cycling.

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Page created: 7 October 2008