Best Foot Forward At Golden Foot Walking Awards

Best Foot Forward At Golden Foot Walking Awards

The search is on for New Zealand's best places to walk, most effective walking promotions, and most walk-friendly organisations.

The Golden Foot Awards in Wellington on Sunday 1 August showcase walking innovations, and facilitate the sharing of new ideas across New Zealand.

The Awards are run by Living Streets Aotearoa, the New Zealand organisation for people on foot and walking-friendly communities.

Awards Coordinator, Liz Thomas, says walking deserves more attention and investment.

“Walking is the forgotten mode of transport. Every trip starts or finishes on foot.”

She says we all win when walking is more convenient and attractive.

“When we walk we feel healthier, we save money, we meet people, and we leave more room on the roads for essential motor traffic.”

“Our streets are friendly and our children can walk to school safely. Walking is the win-win way to go.”

She says she expects some tough competition.

"For many organisations, the Awards are an opportunity to showcase their efforts and vision through well developed sustainable travel options for their operations and communities."

These industry awards celebrate and recognise New Zealand achievements for walkers by acknowledging innovative facilities, highlighting best practice and rewarding commitment to walking. The Awards are for private companies, public organisations, and community organisations.

Liz Thomas says they raise the profile of walking-friendly infrastructure and promotions, and encourage designers of future projects and promotions to give more consideration to the needs and benefits of more people moving about on foot.

The awards ceremony will be followed by the New Zealand Conference on walking and liveable communities on 2-3 August, also in Wellington.

Golden Foot Walking Awards, Sunday 1 August, 5:30pm, James Cook Hotel, Wellington presented by Fran Wilde, chair of Wellington Regional Council.

Finalists are

The New Zealand Best Practice Walking Facility

Pohara Sea Wall and Shared Path - Tasman District Council

Te Puru Bridge - Manukau City Council

Caroline Bay Dune Boardwalk- Timaru District Council

Warren Cole Walk and Cycleway - Whakatane District Council

Top Commitment to Walking by a New Zealand Organisation

Ridge Walkway - Bayswater School

ARTA Walk the Network Challenge- Auckland regional Transport Authority

Nelson City Stepping Out - Nelson City Council

Best New Zealand Walking Promotion

Cruise the Waterfront - Cycle Aware Wellington

Selwyn District Council School Travelwise Programmes

Active a2b - Greater Wellington Regional Council

Best New Zealand Small Walking Project

Hilltop School Walking Around the World - Taupo District Council and Hilltop School

Travel Smart Senior Student project - Tauranga City Council

Horsham Downs to Hamilton Walking and Cycling Path - Horsham Downs Hall Committee

Green Prescription Mt Challenge project - Sport Bay of Plenty

ENDS

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