Last chance to sign up to Trip Switch

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Today is your last chance to sign up to Trip Switch and change your life.

Trip Switch is the name of the week-long initiative about to be launched by the Hastings District Council and it aims to encourage people to take advantage of the region's extensive walking and cycling trails built under the Hastings iWay network and Hawke's Bay Trails over the past five to 10 years.

iWay project manager Owen Mata said it was an invitation to people to try walking and cycling once a day, for a week, starting today.

``The campaign is about getting more people out and about, enjoying the Bay, driving less and walking, cycling more.
``We had a look around at what other councils were doing in this area and we believe this is unique and could be used as a template for others to follow.''

Anyone can take part in the campaign and it just requires signing up and agreeing to switch one car trip a day to walking or cycling, every day for the seven-day promotion.

Mr Mata said the switch could be as simple as walking to the dairy to get some milk or taking children for a ride to the park on bicycles.

``I had met a woman who lived in Stordford Lodge in the west end of Hastings city and she used to drive 90 seconds to the hospital where she worked.

``We suggested if she walked the distance she would feel much better and she did, and has been walking to work every since.

``That's one example of how we could get hundreds of people making that switch and realising how easy it is just to walk or cycle across town rather using the car.''
Mr Mata said it was hoped once people gave the week-long Trip Switch a go, they'd decide to continue walking and cycling regularly.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council, which takes care of the Hawke's Bay Trails, Napier City Council and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, were also putting their support behind Trip Switch.

To sign up go to: www.tripswitch.co.nz