Home

Welcome

If you are interested in safer, more convenient and healthier transport options, you’ve come to the right website!

WATAG promotes Active Transport

Here’s just one good reason why.
Health, Safety and Convenience are perhaps even more important.

Total cost to society per commute – Coburg to Melbourne CBD

Source: Deloitte Access Economics
The Age 21 Sep 2018 reports that Deloitte Access Economics research…
“modelled a journey from Coburg to Flinders Street Station via car, train and bicycle and found – after taking traffic congestion, accidents and other impacts into consideration – that the car trip costs society nearly twice as much as the train trip, and 19 times more than riding a bike.”

Not much more to be said really… the conclusions are obvious.

Check out our news sources below and the rest of our website too.

What’s “In the News”?

Inequitable budget needs changing

Whitehorse Council draft budget for 2019-2020 was published in April

18% of the population involved in structured club/sport will receive a massive 97% of the recreation related budget. The 82% who walk and ride for exercise, recreation or transport get just 3%

The budget direction as far as Active Transport is concerned is very bleak!

WATAG made a detailed submission –  download here.

If you are concerned, contact your local Councillors and let them know.

For more  ‘In the News’ items click here

These are interesting single items of news published on an ad-hoc basis a few times a month.

These items are sourced from from all-over, and have an emphasis on or relevance to Active Transport. Some would say these articles are essential reading for those involved in transport planning and delivery, and those seeking to influence them.

Read the latest “Active Whitehorse News” click here

Active Whitehorse News is a very readable web-based bi-monthly newsletter.

Here’s the highlights in this edition:

Check out WATAG on TWITTER

We are @WATAG10. See most recent tweets in the side column on the right or click here.

Development MapBox Hill’s Future – a Pictorial View

What’s approved, under construction, planned, or just in the pipeline for Box Hill. This is an older item, but still very relevant. Click here for an overall view and a closer look at each development. Click here for some great ideas about a possible future for Box Hill.

Active Transport – What is it?*

Active transport refers to any form of human-powered transportation – walking, cycling, using a wheelchair¹ or even in-line skating or skateboarding.
(*Definition adapted from the Public Health Agency of Canada)
¹Note: We include private mobility carts used instead of a wheelchair to enhance mobility.

handyman cyclist

Bruce Horsburgh B.App.Sc.(Hort)
Mob: 0435 094 876
bruhors@hotmail.com

There are many ways to engage in active transportation, whether it is walking to the bus stop or train, cycling to school to work or to the shops, or going by wheelchair or mobility cart to the library or to visit a friend.

You can even run your business on a bike!
Bruce Horsburgh of Blackburn North runs a Gardening business and can often be seen on the Koonung Creek Trail or around Whitehorse, Balwyn, Kew and Canterbury traveling to his clients.
That’s very Active Transport for a very active Active job!

What are the benefits?
There are many reasons to encourage people to use active  transport rather than a car.

  • Health – Active transport provides an opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis.
  • Social – Active transport is accessible to virtually everyone and increases social interactions.
  • Convenience – Active transport reduces road congestion and increases road safety, and encourages people to use public transport
  • Environmental – Active transport and associated public transport use is environmentally-friendly and can contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Economic – Active transport saves personal money on fuel and parking, and reduces the need for expensive additional public expenditure on road infrastructure for cars.

Why have an Action group?

In a few words … To achieve improved health and environmental sustainability

We believe this can be achieved by:

  • Promotion of safe participation in active transport for all people – walking, cycling and mobility travel
  •  Promotion and advocacy for greater access to, and use of, public transport for all people
  •  Promotion and encouragement of safe and respectful behaviour towards other transport users when ‘on the move’.

And by liaison with:

  • Relevant local, state and federal governments and authorities in relation to the planning and construction of active transport infrastructure for walking, cycling, accessibility and public transport connectivity.
  • Other like-minded groups to achieve the above outcomes.

Your interest or involvement?

WATAG Inc is a representative community group, so the interest and support of people like you is essential. Refer to About Us page for details of how WATAG Inc. is structured.