Going the extra mile with Carly Flynn.

AMI sponsors Auckland Transport’s (AT’s) Walking School Bus week.

Thursday, 18 February 2016: AMI and AT is encouraging school children to hop on a Walking School Bus to learn how to be safer on the road and connect with their neighbours along the way. AMI is a proud supporter of AT’s Walking School Bus campaign and has been involved with the programme for more than nine years.

AMI and AT share a mutual vision for the programme: to make the journey to school a social and safe one. “We see huge value in the benefits the programme,” said Merran Anderson, General Manager of Marketing & Customer Communications at AMI. Merran added, “Teaching kids to walk to school sets them up with road safety skills from an early age, reduces traffic congestion around schools and brings communities together.”

As part of Walking School Bus week, AMI is proud to support ‘Be bright, be seen’ day happening on Thursday 18th February, a day that encourages children to wear bright clothing to ensure they’re visible when they walk to school.

As there is no one better to ask than a parent, AMI has partnered with Carly Flynn to support the campaign and encourage conversations about safe and active ways for children to get to school. Carly recently moved home to be closer to her daughter’s school so she can walk her there every morning. “We love our daily walk to school, it's such a great opportunity to catch up and fit in a bit of exercise at both ends of the day especially after school for a post-school de-brief!” Carly said. “It's amazing the sense of community that it’s created just from walking a short distance together. We meet different people every day and get to know what's going on in the neighbourhood.”

There are currently more than 350 active Walking School Buses in Auckland, with about 4,000 children walking to school and more than 1,000 volunteer Walking School Bus ‘drivers’.

“Active travel, including walking and cycling, is supported by Auckland Transport, because of the health benefits associated with increased physical activity and the reduction of vehicle congestion on the network,” said Karen Hay Community and Road Safety manager. “Encouraging these behaviours in children and parents requires creative solutions that are safe and fun. Implementing a Walking School Bus can be both. Thanks to the hard work of AT, schools and volunteers, establishing a Walking School Bus is now easy, but the challenge and the key to ongoing success is retaining committed volunteers.”

For more information on The Walking School Bus please visit https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/school-travel/walking-school-bus/walking-school-bus-week/

ENDS

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