New Zealanders are losing the habit of walking and health is suffering, report LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK and ANNE BESTON.
If New Zealanders could trade in their legs for a flash set of wheels they probably would.
A pedestrian survey has found that fewer people are walking in New Zealand than 10 years ago.
European New Zealanders are some of the worst offenders, favouring cars, trains and buses for even the shortest trip, rather than walking.
"And, worryingly, the decline is greatest with children and young people. They're becoming more dependent on other transport forms," says Reena Kokotailo, who researched the Pedestrian Profile study.
New Zealanders are going for a walk about 3 per cent less often than in the late 1980s, meaning a national loss of 400,000 walking trips each day.
The study results were based on surveys by the Land Transport Safety Authority, analysing the transport habits of more than 4000 households.
While power walking is growing in popularity in the fitness sector, we're largely avoiding short walking jaunts as a nation - the 10-minute strolls to the dairy, the office or school.
More than 50 per cent of all private vehicle trips last less than 10 minutes, the 18-month study shows.
Ms Kokotailo blames our car-centred society for the decline in walking. But she also lists our fear of being mugged or raped, the drawing power of large shopping malls and even the growth of convenience transport, like escalators and lifts.
The technology age has also had an impact: the average New Zealander does less walking on the job.
Professor Rod Jackson of Auckland University says growing obesity and the high risk of heart disease in New Zealand result from the decline in walking.
"We're getting fatter and fatter because of things like this.
"We're not consuming any less food, but we're doing less and less walking," says Professor Jackson, who heads the university's community health division.
A healthy diet and brisk walking are the best ways to reduce body fat and combat disease, he says.
"It takes about 20 minutes of exercise to cancel out eating two digestive biscuits. If people don't exercise and have a good diet, their weight will be affected."
The study also identified pollution, vehicle congestion and the sustainability of local business being harmed by the drop in walking trips.
Ms Kokotailo wants Government organisations to raise the profile of walking through an advertising campaign like 0800 Smokey, aimed at reducing pollution.
She says urban planning policies need to make provision for better walking environments along roads, featuring trees, rest areas and quality footpaths.
"Pedestrians have been the forgotten road users in New Zealand. Most urban transport debate focuses either on the needs of the private motor vehicle or public transport."
The Auckland Regional Council is developing a pedestrian guide, aimed at increasing walking trips around the region.
The Road Safety Trust-funded pedestrian study identifies Pacific Islanders, Maori and women as the country's top walkers, with Wellington and Taranaki residents leading on a regional basis.
The survey has also highlighted the high rate of pedestrian fatalities, accounting for 28 per cent of deaths on New Zealand urban roads.
Children are the worst affected.
Walkers the Herald spoke to say they find being a pedestrian in a city frightening, at times, although the views make up for it.
Helen Robertson, a 22-year-old legal secretary living in Kohimarama, keeps fit walking at least 40 minutes a day between her bus stop and her job, but she says city walking can be hazardous.
"It's great walking first thing in the morning, but there aren't enough lights at busy crossings ... I've seen a few close calls."
Vaione Pau, 50, walks about half an hour three times a week but also has a perilous crossing to contend with when she shops in her home suburb of Royal Oak.
"It's safer in the city than crossing Manukau Rd. We really need lights out there. There are a lot of old people living there, too."
Daily stroll a dwindling pastime
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