Active commute

After a long period of absence from posting to this blog I have decided this year to once again take up the baton. So here goes to the first post of the year - happy 2014 to all.

Our sedentary lifestyles are packed full of activities and responsibilities. For many the only time available during the week for getting some exercise is the commute. For those not living within walking or cycling distance to work it can seem unrealistic to use the commute to get that exercise. But some are using active transport as a portion of their commute trip. This may include:

• driving to a free parking area close to a bikeway into the city (the park-and-ride adjacent to Anzac Park in Toowong is an example of this)
• Cycling or walking past your local bus stop to high frequency public transport (more prevalent for rail than bus)
• Climbing off the bus early and walking the rest of the way to work.  

Wellington currently have a campaign to encourage commuters to do the be active as part of their daily commute - including the strategies above. Are we as planners and engineers considering these opportunities when we plan active transport facilities, information or campaigns for commuters?