Marlborough Walking and Cycling Strategy can be assisted by a comprehensive walking and cycling strategy (including the identification and development of specific facilities) that helps organisers plan and manage their events. 4. Community Benefits The presence of walkers and cyclists within an area can contribute to community well-being in a number of ways: Greater social interaction amongst neighbours is likely to occur; Personal security and crime prevention are enhanced with more “eyes on the street”; Provision of improved facilities for cyclists can also improve the amenities available to local residents for walking (such as paths through parks); Provision of walking and cycling facilities can reduce traffic speeds and volumes in urban areas, improving the quality of life in our towns; Walking and cycling can reduce the amount of space we devote to roads and car parking thereby enabling the enhancement of the urban amenity; and Provision of walking and cycling facilities promotes civic pride. 5. Environmental Benefits Walking and cycling improves the quality of our natural environment and minimises environmental impacts: Walkers have minimal demands on our environment and resources; Cycles are the most energy efficient land transport vehicles; Up to 100 times less material is needed to manufacture a cycle than a car; Cycles have no effect on our fossil fuel reserves; Cycles emit no air pollution, noise pollution or greenhouse gases; and Promoting walking and cycling as a means of travel helps to achieve New Zealand’s Kyoto Protocol obligations. iv