Creating a bikeable city leads to award

A healthy city is one that makes it easy and natural to be healthier, more prosperous and thrive. Active transport is a key component of a living in a healthy city as well as playing a significant role in transitioning to a sustainable transport system and meeting our climate change goals.

Creating a city where more people can be more active more often is a key focus for Healthy Families Hutt Valley. Cycleways and shared pathways across our city create connections to communities and neighbourhoods, is fun and active and contributes to our physical and mental wellbeing. 

We’re seeing a continued commitment by Hutt City Council to walking and cycling projects across Te Awa Kairangi. This commitment was recently recognised at the Local Government New Zealand conference with Hutt City Council winning the Breakthrough Bike City Award. 

The win highlights the significant focus and number of cycle related initiatives underway across Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.   

Mayor Campbell Barry said it was an honour to receive the award on behalf of the city, and it signals Lower Hutt is on the right track with enabling cycling as a credible alternative mode of transport.

“We’re relatively early on in our journey to making our city easier to get around, including by encouraging more cycling. It’s fantastic to have this progress recognised through this award.”

“Cycling in the Hutt is becoming more and more common, and we want to see it increase. Getting more people cycling through the city is key to addressing climate change, creating healthier communities, and reducing congestion. This is a key focus and priority for the Council,” says Mayor Campbell Barry

We’re on the way to creating a connected network of active transport routes across Lower Hutt which is vital to enabling our people to be more active more often. We know that those people who are more active in their daily lives are happier and healthier and we want to see that being a reality for our whole hapori whānui.

Imagine if Te Awa Kairangi became the cycling capital of Aotearoa.