At the celebration (from the left): Will Smith – Executive Director, Strategic Property Development; Jessica Rose – Transport Demand Planner, Strategic Property Development; Louise Coburn – Senior Communications Advisor, Corporate Communications; Maja Zidov – Sustainability Manager, Organisational Performance; and Melissa Everitt – Auckland Transport Travel Planner
A big congratulations to everyone involved in the Auckland Bike Challenge 2018! This is the third year in a row that we’ve won the challenge in our category. It’s an important initiative as it helps many of us to get moving and to explore alternative ways of getting to work.
Our bike challengers celebrated our win, courtesy of Auckland Transport’s ‘Love to Ride’ team last Thursday, with a special morning tea and a presentation. At the event Will Smith, Executive Director – Strategic Property Development, thanked everyone for getting involved with a special mention for Jessica Rose and also Maja Zidov, who were key drivers in getting a number of ‘first time’ riders to give cycling a go.
Will also talked about how proud he was to see Unitec in the #1 slot again and reminded us of the four good reasons for giving cycling a go; It’s often quicker to go by bike – no sitting in traffic and less stressful, you’ll save money and of course it’s better for you and the environment!
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is an annual event run every February, but you don’t have to wait till next one to explore alternative transport options! Next week already, by coming to our Smart Travel Expo you can check out ‘Big Street Bikers’ ride-to-own deal for e-bikes and with a bit of luck and fun, find your ideal carpooling match.
From the left: Stephen Brebner – Library Resource Specialist, Deb Crossan – Career Development Consultant, Student Development and Donna Cavell – Learning and Achievement Team Leader
Why should we consider other travel options?
Taking responsibility for how people commute to work is tied to the delivery of health, safety and wellbeing outcomes – your commute is usually the longest journey made over the course of a week.
In our Property and One Planet Living strategies we talk about the need to support our people (both students and staff) to find ways to leave their car at home, at least every now and then. This means we need to, among other things, improve access to multiple forms of transport that suit a wide range of individual needs.
Our Mt Albert campus is connected to major bus ways and train lines so one of our more recent initiatives was to provide the opportunity to apply for a free public transport pass, allowing you to explore a public transport commute.
The ‘Big Street Bikers’ team will be on campus next week at our Smart Travel Expo with e-bikes to try and a ride-to-own deal
Supporting the Bike Challenge is another way to encourage us to try out a cycle commute, and our Smart Travel Expo next week will provide you with e-bike and car pool options (with a car pool app ‘in the works).
We’ve also reviewed your feedback in our recent Travel Survey and know we need to improve our end of trip facilities. We are working out the most efficient ways to this now.
If you’d like to contribute your ideas or have a questions, please contact Maja Zidov – Sustainability Manager, extn 7012.