Date: May 13, 2011

Students look for safer ways of crossing Te Mata Road

Local school students are taking up the iWay Design Challenge, encourages new and innovative thinking that will make walking and cycling around Hastings more enjoyable.

Teams or individual students are being encouraged to design an item or come up with an idea which will make Hastings a world leader in encouraging walking and cycling.

One such team comes from Te Mata School in Havelock North, where 18 students have joined forces to look at ways of making crossing Te Mata Road safer, in the hope that more of their fellow students from Havelock will walk or bike to school.

iWay project leader Owen Mata says “the challenge is organised by the national body FutureinTech, which aims to encourage students into careers in technology, engineering or science.

“Other ideas which could be explored include looking for a way to make roundabouts safer for cyclists or maybe design a fashionable hi viz jacket which people will want to wear when walking or cycling at night” Mr Mata says.

The iWay Design Challenge for Schools will close at the end of Term 3. Schools will be competing for cash prizes and the potential for their entry to become a reality as part of the iWay project.

iWay is an initiative of the Hastings District Council which aims to make cycling and walking easy, safe and fun.

Check out facebook.com/loveiway for more information.

ENDS

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