An event to get Oamaru people out of their cars and into alternative modes of transport is on next week.
The "Street Smart" alternative transport week, from this Monday, is organised by the Waitaki District Council and includes a "weekday walkabout", which ties in with the International Day of Climate Action.
Activities for the week are designed to encourage people to leave vehicles at home and walk, cycle or find other ways of getting around, Sport Waitaki active transport co-ordinator Helen Algar says.
"As part of the Weekday Walkabout event, walkers, cyclists, skaters, scooters, and numerous assorted animals will accompany Waitaki's very own Zeb the pedestrian crossing zebra in actively transporting themselves to work and school throughout the week," she said.
Local identities will test alternative transport on Classic Hits, culminating in a "first past the post" race on Thames St at 8am on Friday.
Also on Friday, Zeb will walk to school with the combined schools' North Walking School Bus, part of the 350 Schools' Day of Climate Action.
"Friday is the day we hope students will choose to `walk or wheel', and there will be a prize for the school with the highest percentage of students who actively transport on that day," Mrs Algar said.
