Towards healthy transport choices for all

The ACTIVATION team, funded by Healthier Lives and Ageing Well, has trialed several new transport initiatives to increase active transport opportunities in lower income and residential communities. Filmmaker Ollie Dawe has made two short films that demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of this research.

In Ōtautahi Christchurch, residents at an Arvida Retirement Village have a new-found freedom to affordably visit family and enjoy outings with others by accessing a fleet of shared cars. View the video to see the to see the range of other benefits that this study has uncovered. Having less cars onsite, lower transport costs for residents and more social interaction make for a happier community.

For those living in social housing, having access to shared e-bikes and e-scooters through this study has made all the difference in terms of access to work, the supermarket and just enjoying the independence and health benefits that active transport provides. The research team in Christchurch teamed up with Lime, who provided the bikes and scooters free of charge. Watch the heart-warming difference this study has made for residents of the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust in Brougham Street.

In Māngere, Tāmaki Makaurau, a partnership between researchers and charitable trust Time to Thrive has investigated residents’ interest in using e-bikes to meet their transport needs.  Co-designed with the local community, a 3-month trial provided participants with free access to e-bikes and demonstrated strong interest in e-bike use, with multiple benefits for lower income residents. The study resulted in significant trip substitutions from car to e-bike – there’s nothing like sailing past a line of cars while you bike to work! Watch the film to see the other community benefits that this research generated.

Feedback from the study suggests that e-bikes and shared transport have the potential to increase healthy and sustainable transport. Researchers, residents and businesses see the benefits of active transport options, but government support will be needed to make this a reality for all lower income communities

Short film about access to shared e-bikes and cars in Christchurch.

Short film about community access to e-bikes in Māngere.

Read more about the ACTIVATION project.