#WalkNRideSouthside wants to amplify South Auckland voices!

The new community movement was launched this week and gathers the walking and biking stories of South Aucklanders.

Led by Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa‐Papakura, #WalkNRideSouthside supports the work of community champions like Mangere’s Mr T and, Otara’s Pedal to the Max, in creating a more active community.

Using videos and social media, #WalkNRideSouthside encourages community members to share their stories about how they move and, use active transport. It also invites public to share their vision for what walking and biking could look like across South Auckland. Those views will be used to help advocate for better active transport solutions in our region.

“We’re keen to connect the voice of locals with decision makers,” says Healthy Families Manukau, Manurewa‐Papakura Manger Anna Jacob. “Local schools and Community groups, such as Nga Iwi School in Mangere and Time to Thrive South Auckland, have already signed up to the movement to share where they think pathways should be located, how to best connect suburbs and, what other factors impede or support walking and biking in and around our neighbourhoods.”

For the next six weeks the short skit video series will be posted to YouTube and Facebook leading to the www.WalkNRideSouthside.co.nz website.

Looking at community and road safety, dedicated pathways, alternative transport options and, empowering our children, each video represents comments shared by local schools, clubs and community members.

With more than 4,000 social media users already engaged, the #WalkNRideSouthside movement will help inform future investment into pathways, in turn, supporting our community to become more active.

Auckland Transport’s Cycling, Walking and Road Safety manager Kathryn King says it’s fantastic see communities start conversations about using different modes of transport and the challenges that exist around them.

“The Te Ara Mua Future Streets project in Mangere is due to be completed by the end of the year and we would love to hear from other areas of south Auckland about how we can help them get out walking and cycling.”

Signing up to the movement is easy, you can visit www.WalkNRidesouthside.co.nz and also follow the hashtag #WalkNRideSouthside on Facebook.