The powerful actions we can take to make our community and environment better

Sarah Lucas a member of the Inglewood Community Board and co-chair of Local Government NZ community board executive

OPINION: “I’m tired of leaders telling us we need to act on climate change – then they do nothing. I can’t even get a bus to town, and I can’t ride my bike here either,” my son Luka, who is 14, complained to me.

Living in Inglewood he can’t ride a bus to town as they are too infrequent, and they don’t run on weekends.

He cannot ride his bike to town, as there is no safe path. He has to ask for a ride in a car. And he worries about burning extra fossil fuels, so he can reach the ocean or hang out with his friends.

He gets it. He understands the crisis, he accepts the science. He knows what he’s going to face in his lifetime.

Later he ponders…”this could be the coldest winter I ever experience, and I will miss it.” Luka wants the call to action, to be just that – action.

One powerful action lies in the creation of cycleways and bus lanes. These dedicated lanes not only alleviate traffic congestion but also serve as a vital tool in the fight against the worst impacts of a warming world.

As we navigate the challenges of changing weather, it’s time to reevaluate our priorities and recognise the benefits of trading some parking spaces for a greener future. Human induced climate change is real. Just ask your insurance company.

New Plymouth District only contributes a tiny amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, so why should we take responsibility?

We should bother because we are part of a global family. We rely on global networks for our way of life. What we do here, impacts on people living elsewhere. Our way of life has a global impact and we need local action.

Cycling produces zero emissions and offers an efficient means of short-distance commuting. People need to have the option to cycle safely.

Our future generations deserve infrastructure which gives them the choice to move away from cars. Bus lanes promote the use of public transport, which is shown to significantly decrease the carbon footprint per passenger.

The prospect of losing car parking spaces might raise concerns, but the benefits of cycleways and bus lanes extend across the local economy.

Decreased reliance on cars means less spending on fuel and vehicle maintenance. Local economies can benefit from increased foot traffic, as cyclists and pedestrians will pop into businesses along their routes. People spend money, not cars.

Change can be challenging, especially when people feel they are losing something that is rightfully theirs. However, adopting a sustainable approach to transportation is not merely a compromise–it’s an investment in a better future.

A better future, where Luka and his family, can park their car on the outskirts of New Plymouth, unload their bikes, and ride to the beach, using the new lanes on Mangorei Rd.

One day, they may even be able to ride from the beach to Inglewood via a series of linked pathways. They could stop for a ride down one of the mountain bike trails at Mangamahoe, then buy a coffee at Egmont Village before peddling off home. The investment proposed in New Plymouth is visionary and will lead us all into a new future that is inclusive and safer.

By investing in these solutions, we’re sending a powerful message that we’re ready to make sacrifices for a better future. I urge our leaders to listen to the younger generation and recognise that we don’t have the luxury of time. We need bold action, and we need it now, for our future generations.

The time to act is now, and the road to a better future begins with cars, bikes and buses all having an equal share of the road.