Movin March 2017

Making change starts at Home

Projects Coordinator Holly Hullena caught up with busy Masterton Mum, Jenny Tyer and her son Cameron to find out about an exciting learning process that eventuated to creating a journey to learning.

Holly: How long has Cam been riding to school by himself?

Jenny: Since the start of this school year.

Holly: How do you feel about him heading off to and from school independently?

I think it’s a little nerve wracking for any parent the first time you let them go off on their own, but I trust that I have prepared him as much as I can, and Cameron has shown that he has developed a good understanding of cycle safety and the importance of keeping himself safe on the road.

Holly: What do you think triggered the idea around getting him to cycle to school?

We are fortunate to live close enough to school so that biking is possible so my thinking was if we can, we should! It was also to help develop a sense of independence for Cameron too.

Holly: How did you go about getting him ready?

We spent much of 2017 going for bike rides on the weekend.  It started with biking the route to school and home again with me instructing Cameron along the way, identifying possible hazards, how to overcome them, basic road rules, safe places or sign posts to stop at to check for traffic at certain intersections, plus safe places to get help if he was ever in need of it on the way to or from school. Then we progressed to Cameron leading me on the rides and showing that he was confident and capable of managing the ride easily.

Holly: Were there any particular challenges you were worried about or that came up on the way?

A couple of busy intersections, plus a narrow road that cars tend to go quite fast down were my biggest concerns, but that’s why we took our time last year so that both of us were confident Cameron knew how to best handle them.  Oh and the fact he now thinks he needs a cell phone in case he needs to get hold of me – that’s been a challenge!!!

Holly: What are the benefits that you have found from Cam getting himself to school? Is there any follow on benefits that you have found for you?

His sense of independence has grown and he now bikes further afield than just school, also it’s been great for his problem solving skills.  He’s had a puncture and a minor fall of his own making but he has managed to sort these things for himself (without the help of a cell phone so that Mum can fix it!)  That said, part of our ‘training’ included those safe places where he knew people along the way whose place he could go to for help if he was really stuck and they could contact me.

 For me, it’s great to see Cam becoming confident in his abilities and taking the initiative of wanting to do more….and it allows me a wee bit of extra time each day not having to do the school runs, so it’s win-win.

Holly: What would your advice be to parents that are on the fence about letting their kids travel by themselves to school?

I think preparation is key, take the time to ride with your kids if you can, on weekends, during holidays – where ever you can fit it in (and I appreciate that isn’t always easy), talk about hazards, their responsibilities on the road to other road users, and if possible, line up a ‘safe place’ they can go if there is ever a problem.  Always model road safety when you are riding with them, that’s important too.  In the end it does boil down to trust, trust in your child that they are ready, and trust in yourself that you have prepared them well.

Holly: What do you think the culture is around active travel at school? Is this a conversation that the school tries to start up with their families?

Yes I believe it is.  It’s great to see kids either walking or biking to school, but it’s not always possible for a variety of reasons.  But if it is a possible option for your family, I think there are so many benefits to both parent and child that go beyond just the act of biking to school.

 Do you have a story that could inspire others around road safety? Email Holly rsc@wairsc.org.nz

Slow Down for Fernridge School

Advisory speed warning signs around Fernridge School in Masterton have been erected to slow traffic outside the schools gate.

This follows requests to the Wairarapa Road Safety Council for help in reducing the congestion around the school gate during peak drop off and pick up times.

Previously in 2014 Fernridge School celebrated a Shelter and Pou being built for use of School students to meet a short walk away from the school on the corner of Upper Plain Road and Kibblewhite Road, promoting safe and active travel to boost the number of children walking and cycling to school. Walking School buses have been in operation so students can walk together with a teacher/adult providing a “safety in numbers” approach.

Projects Coordinator for Wairarapa Road Safety Council Holly Hullena says “When focusing on speed issues around school areas there is no one single thing that can ‘fix’ a situation and there is no quick-fix in any case”.

“Consultation and Surveying are key elements, but a major part of fixing any congestion issue outside the school relies heavily on public behaviour. Those who drive past schools to work or who are dropping off or picking up students are required to be considerate and mindful of children – especially during peak school times”.

“We can use this opportunity to encourage students to walk the last 300 or so meters to school. Setting a pick up and drop off point for you kids encourages independence an health-conscious behaviors such as warming up their brains before they reach the classroom. Carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles outside the school gate is another way of reducing the amount of cars parked outside the school”.

With the help of Masterton District Council, new School Speed Advisory Signs went up at the start of the year ready for the beginning of Term 1. Fernridge School is set on Upper Plain Road, which is on an 80km per hour stretch of road linking town and country. After surveying the roads in varied weather conditions during peak school drop off and pick up times, the decision was made to put the signs up in conjunction with the school expanding their buildings to cater for the increase of students on the school role.

“More students, means more traffic. With the already busy rural road being used by not just parents but those travelling to the town centre for work, it was necessary to remind road users to adjust their speed when passing the school gate.”

Holly Hullena said crashes involving school aged pedestrians and cyclists can be avoided. “Nobody wants to see kind of headlines. Using a proven combination of reduced speed, community engagement and schools having travel plans in place will ultimately combat this”.

For more information, please contact our School Travel Planner on 06 377 1379 or email rsc@wairsc.org.nz

ROLLING OUT THE HI VIZ

Bruce Pauling, Manager of the Wairarapa Road Safety Council said the 1,000 hi-viz vests rollout for Wairarapa Primary School students was a great example of community collaboration, with the goal of safety for our youngest and most vulnerable road users.

Lots of kids in our region walk, scooter and bike and hundreds of them catch our buses to school each day. Not many people know the legal speed limit to drive past a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off students is 20km in both directions. 

These are little people around big moving fast vehicles who might not be as aware of their surroundings, it’s about making road users more aware children are there and so they can change their driving behaviour around school buses. 

It’s fantastic to see Featherston school so supportive of this initiative.

Lids on Kids Campaign

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Every Warehouse location supports local neighbourhood community organisations through their Customer Choice programme.

The Warehouse’s community strategy is to provide support to not-for-profit community groups or organisations for specific projects which enhance the lives of ‘families and young people’ with an emphasis on the latter. We do not provide support for administrative costs, operational overheads or expenditure. In the case of our Bags for Good programme, the specific project must also be focussed on the geographic area the store services.

Check out The Warehouse Neighbourhood Partnerships Programme here

One area that we see a large issue is around cycling without helmets. At Wairarapa Road Safety Council we offer free of charge cycle skills training from Pedal Ready. When we visit the school for training, we are able to supply bikes and helmets (during the training)... but after the lessons, the helmets fall on the way-side and are not worn.

Cycling is an important form of exercise, transportation and recreation for children in New Zealand, and for many children, learning to ride a bicycle is an important part of their play and development. 

However, cycling related injuries are one of the top ten causes of unintentional injury related deaths for children in New Zealand according to Safekids NZ.

We are working with The Warehouse to look out for kids without helmets and raise the awareness that our brains are so important and we need them to learn. Watch the video below to see how we are affected when falling off our bikes. Please support our community by shopping at The Warehouse Masterton and adding a token to our cause. Please feel free to share across your networks.

Stopping and Parking outside Schools

When children arrive or leave school each day, your driving behaviour can protect them or endanger them.

Parking rules around your school are there to protect children and increase visibility both for pedestrians and drivers.

Please Do:

• Park legally & away from the school gates.
• Use the crossings & walk the short distance to school. 
• Use the car doors on the footpath side. 
• Use bright or hi viz jackets and backpacks. 
• Talk with your children about ‘sneaky’ driveways, how fast cars go and safe places to cross.

Please Don’t:

• Call out to your kids to cross the road! 
• Double park or park on yellow lines. 
• Block footpaths or driveways. 
• Speed near our schools!

Local Police CAN and WILL issue tickets to drivers who do not drive and park legally and safely

DID YOU KNOW: If you choose to stop or park illegally you are liable for the following fines:

Stopped/parked on broken yellow lines - $60

Stopped/parked on or within 6 metres of a pedestrian crossing - $60

Stopped/parked on the footpath - $40

Stopped/parked over or within 1 metre of a vehicle entrance - $40

Parked within 500mm of a fire hydrant with no one in a car legally capable of moving it - $40

Stopped or parked closer than 6 metres to a bus stop marked only by a sign or on a marked bus stop - $40

Double parked - $60

Any stopping or parking that is inconsiderate to other road users, inclusive of pedestrians - $60

Stopped or parked in or within 6 metres of an Intersection - $60

Parked on roadside grass plot, shrubs or flower beds - $40

Feet First editorial - Wairarapa Midweek

We all have a “copy cat”

By Holly Hullena – Road Safety Coordinator / School Travel Planner

The age-old saying: “make good choices” comes to mind. Road Safety is particularly important this time of year as schools have started up and we are all vying for our space travelling to get there. In amongst this hustle and bustle, we tend to forget some of the basics in safety and we need to be able to take a breath, think and do the right thing as often we have children around us ready to follow in our footsteps.

Common things to remember to show our children how to stay safe:

• Slow down! – if you are a rush, you may forget to double check for anyone crossing the road or a cyclist that is to your left. Children are often excited to see their friends. They may not be looking out for you.
• Wear your seatbelt – make it click EVERYTIME. Ensure before you start up the car that all children in the vehicle are restrained properly. Children under 7 years of age must be in an approved child restraint.
• Use the crossings – Make it a rule. Even if it is only a few metres in the opposite direction. Pedestrian crossings make sure you are seen and that vehicles stop for you.
• Park your car properly – Don’t park on yellow lines or bus stops. It means you are obscuring the view of someone else’s child trying to cross the road properly. It doesn’t hurt to park down the road and allow your children to walk an extra 50 metres to the school gate. It will also allow them to grow some independence and you can still see them.
• Use your “noggin” – Make sure you are wearing a helmet that fits you properly. Check your child is wearing theirs. If your child is under 10, cycle with them to school. Children do not develop their peripheral vision until they reach 10 years old. Their judgement to speed and perception is not great.
• School Buses – Park your car on the same side of the road as the bus. Make sure when you are driving past a school bus that your speed is 20km (it’s the law). Talk to your children about the Curb-side drill.

 The world is a busy place, but there is no need to hurry when around the school gate. Nothing in this world is more precious than our children, so look out for them, look out for others and set a good example.

Rural Schools High Vis Vest Rollout

Children waiting for the school bus on rural roads are often hard to see. We are providing children (via their schools) reflective vests to be worn when on the roadside waiting to get on and off the bus to help increase their visibility.

As a parent you’re probably well aware that children can be on the roadside waiting for the bus between 7-8.45am and returning between 3.15-4.30pm so if you’re on the road take more care knowing that a child may be running late in the mornings or excited to get home in the afternoons.

What else can you do to help make our roads safer?

1. The legal speed limit to drive past a stopped school bus is 20km/h in both directions, please slow down.

2. Look and think ahead when driving. Especially when coming into a section of sun strike or shading.

3. Look twice, when you quickly scan the road your brain only picks up what it is expecting to see, take a second look.

4. Encourage your child to be comfortable in bright colours. And if you’re out walking, riding or jogging on your rural road, make sure you can be seen.

Please share these messages with your neighbours. No matter if you’re walking, riding, jogging or driving, we ALL have a responsibility for our own safety and of those around us on Wairarapa Roads.

For more information contact your school in the first instance or contact us:

Holly Hullena - Projects Coordinator

Wairarapa Road Safety Council

Ph: 06 377 1379 / E: rsc@wairsc.org.nz

Wairarapa Schools Movin' March

About movin' march

Walking, cycling and scooting to school have many benefits for children. As well as being a great opportunity for regular exercise in the outdoors, they improve independence, physical and mental health, decision making, risk assessment and road safety skills.

There are so many ways to celebrate and support students to make active and sustainable trips to and from school, many of which can be incorporated into the curriculum in and out of the classroom.

Check out the facebook page or register on the website. Even though the month has already started, you can still be part of all the fun! 

Wairarapa Movin March Newsletter 2015

Fernridge School Pou & Shelter Project!

On May 23rd, 190 Fernridge school pupils welcomed an exciting new asset to their school and community. Opposite Kibblewhite Road heading towards Fernridge School a new shelter and Pou have been put up to promote safe and active travel to and from school. Their Pou design came from students inspired art and coached through the process by artist Sian Torrington.

"The idea around putting up the Pou is to highlight to drivers and the community that their is a school close by, small people share this road and the idea is to keep them safe whilst letting them remaining active in their travel to school by Cycling, Scooting and walking. The stretch of road heading past Fernridge School is 80km p/hr so it is vital that drivers and other road users remain aware" says Wairarapa Road Safety Coordinator Holly McGeorge.

Wairarapa Road Safety Manager Bruce Pauling also mentions "this project could not be achieved without the support of our Local roading engineers at Masterton District Council and of course Patrick, Warwick and the team at Totalspan for funding the shelter".

Photos Courtesy of Wairarapa Times Age.

Pou Project - Stronger Together

(Sian Torrington )

Sian has just completed a project with Fernridge School and Masterton Primary, both in Masterton, that was supported by the Wairarapa Road Safety Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council. It was part of the Regional School Travel Plan programme, which aims to have more children travelling safely, actively and sustainably, to school.

Sian worked with two full classes of ten year olds to create three pou each, which will be positioned along the walkways to the schools. They will act as markers at which children can be dropped off, and walk, bike or scooter from there to school. The aim is to encourage active transport, and a sense of ownership and observation of the route through art.

• Find out more: christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Road Safety Week 2016

This year we are all about celebrating our heroes and it's no different when it comes to the road. Students across Wairarapa rang into More Fm and sung the praises of those that get them from A to B safely.

Here are the 3 winners of Brand new Scooters and Helmets. Their super heroes also won big each receiving a $100 fuel voucher!!!

Pedal Ready Cycle Training

About the programme:

• Pedal Ready is funded and supported by the sustainable transport team at Greater Wellington.
• Jordan Roy and Nicky Morrison are the regional coordinators for the programme and they are supported by a network of qualified instructors.
• Holly (Project Coordinator - Wairarapa Road Safety Council) can take school bookings & enquiries by contacting 06 377 1379

Check out photos of training programmes held in Wairarapa. Pedal Ready is available for work, school, parents and trainers. Check out the Pedal Ready website for more details. 

Buckle up With Mitre 10

On Sunday 7th May the Wairarapa Road Safety Council teamed up with Mitre 10 Mega Masterton (am) & Martinborough (pm) to raise awareness around speed & seatbelts. People (big and small) tried out the ‘seatbelt demonstrator’, and put themselves in the draw to win an automotive prize pack or voucher from each store, and one of two child restraints or booster seats from the Road Safety Council.

Chocolates, information & giveaways were there for the kids to take away. A huge thank you to Both Mitre 10 Mega Masterton & Mitre 10 Martinborough for your partnership with us in promoting good road safety habits such as - ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!

Some videos of the big kids trying out the seatbelt demonstrator - for more check out our Youtube channel