Benchmarking Cycling and Walking in Six New Zealand Cities: Pilot Study 2015

Abstract

Benchmarking cities to compare active transport is established internationally, with varying approaches used. It can be a useful tool for planners, policy makers, advocates and researchers to determine how well cities are doing at promoting active transport, making it safe for people and reaping the environmental, health and economic rewards of this approach. New Zealand is a car-dominated society with high per-capita carbon emissions. While there has been a recent, modest, policy push to develop urban cycling, overall the policy environment remains unsupportive of active travel. Despite this, there are well-known differences between New Zealand cities in active transport patterns, although this has never been looked at systematically. We undertook a project to benchmark cycling and walking in the six largest New Zealand cities (Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin). This work used (with permission) the same format as the successful Alliance for Biking and Walking biennial Benchmarking report in the United States, but was modified to the New Zealand context. Using existing data sources and new survey data we reported on an extensive array of inputs (for example policies, extent of infrastructure, level of investment, programmes and personnel) and outcomes (including levels of cycling and walking, health outcomes such as physical activity, obesity, and safety for cyclists and pedestrians). Where possible we also reported gender, ethnic and socio-economic differences in outcomes. In this presentation we discuss some of the key findings- the full report is published here: http://sustainablecities.org.nz/resilient-urban-futures/benchmarking/ . We will also discuss some of the lessons learned from this first attempt at Benchmarking. These include issues with engaging local government, dealing with discrepancies in geographic boundaries, limitations of routinely collected datasets, a lack of shared understanding of infrastructure, the funding and sustainability of benchmarking, and who should undertake benchmarking. Benchmarking cities can potentially be a powerful tool to encourage active transport, this preliminary experience in New Zealand contains useful lessons for other researchers or practitioners interested in this approach.