The ACTIVATION project, funded by Ageing Well and Healthier Lives, trialled several new transport initiatives to increase active transport opportunities in lower income and residential communities.
The study has produced two short films by filmmaker Ollie Dawe that demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of this multi-disciplinary research.
Ōtautahi Christchurch
In Ōtautahi Christchurch, residents at an Arvida Retirement Village have a new-found freedom to affordably visit family, attend to appointments, and enjoy outings with others through accessing a fleet of shared e-cars.
Residents have enjoyed the lower transportation costs, increased social interaction, and fewer cars on site, and it has made for a happier and more connected community.
Residents have enjoyed the lower transportation costs, increased social interaction, and it has made for a happier and more connected community.
For those living in social housing at the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust in Brougham Street, having access to shared transport options has made all the difference.
They had access to e-bikes and e-scooters through this study and this greatly improved access to essential activities (such as work, medical visits, and the supermarket), as well as enabling residents to enjoy the independence and health benefits that active transport provides.
The ACTIVATION research team in Christchurch teamed up with Lime, who provided the bikes and scooters free of charge.
In Māngere, trips on a bike increased from 4% to 33%, and their car trips were reduced by 25%.
Māngere, Tamaki Makaurau Auckland
In Māngere, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, a partnership between researchers and the charitable trust Time to Thrive investigated residents’ interest in using e-bikes to meet their transport needs.
Co-designed with the local community, a three-month trial provided participants with free access to e-bikes and demonstrated strong interest in e-bike use. Of the 40 participants who participated in this part of the study, the research team discovered that trips on a bike increased from 4% to 33%, and their car trips were reduced by 25%.
The use of the e-bikes showed multiple benefits for lower-income residents, such as removing significant barriers to access, improveing physical and mental wellbeing, and increasing social connection.
By organising group rides and providing invaluable assistance to riders, Community partner Time to Thrive has helped design what e-biking looks like for the community of Māngere.
E-bikes and shared transport have the potential to increase healthy and sustainable transport around our cities.
Active transport making positive impacts for communities
Feedback from the ACTIVATION study suggests that e-bikes and shared transport have the potential to increase healthy and sustainable transport around our cities.
Researchers, residents, and businesses see the benefits of active transport options, though government support will be essential to make this a reality for all lower income communities.
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