Editorial: The iWay is now miWay

Christopher Candy is getting active for Tripswitch.

This week is Trip Switch week.

If you have not heard of it, Trip Switch is the fantastic initiative launched by the Hastings District Council that aims to get people to take advantage of the region's extensive walking and cycling trails built under the Hastings iWay network and Hawke's Bay Trails over the past five to 10 years.

All they want us to do this week is to switch one trip a day from car to walking or biking. So if you are nipping down to the dairy for something, walk instead. If you only walk a couple times a week, walk seven days this week.

It is a great idea and I am so pleased the team at the council asked me to be one of the ambassadors.

I love the iWay network and use it every week on my early morning walks.

My goal is to step up my walks from four or five times a week to seven days this week.

It started well yesterday. I woke up and it looked blustery and cold out there, but I went anyway and thoroughly enjoyed the walk along Te Mata Rd down to the river and back.

iWay project manager Owen Mata says that they have had a rush of people signing up over the past few days and they have had some great stories coming out.

Check out their website www.tripswitch.co.nz and, even if you can't sign up now, do it informally.

Once you are out in the fresh Hawke's Bay air, it will change your life.

I have been walking regularly for a year now and it certainly has changed mine.