Changing the way we get around Tauranga is the aim of the Wednesday Challenge that launches next Wednesday.

But with the increasing prevalence of Covid-19 and amidst the current Omicron outbreak, the Wednesday Challenge, like most other initiatives, has had to approach things differently.

To comply with latest social distancing regulations, two key components of the challenge – the Liftango carpooling app and the Wednesday Challenge Ferry, which were set to launch at the same time as the Challenge, have been delayed until after we start coming out of this latest outbreak.

"We've delayed them until case numbers are falling and there are less health and safety concerns around people being together," says project director Heidi Hughes.

"But all our other modes; from biking to walking, skateboarding, scootering are even more relevant at this time, as it is important for mental health and wellbeing that people still get fresh air and exercise.

"Working from home is considered a transport option in The Challenge, so people will be able to start participating and collecting points on a Wednesday if they are not even leaving the house for work."

Heidi says the public launch event for the challenge has also had to take a different tack.

"We had planned to have a grand community launch next Wednesday, so people could come along to an expo style event and discover everything they needed to know.

"Now we are doing a digital experience launch, with an intro video hosted by Ben Hurley.

"The public can find out everything they need to know, from their own home, school, business or neighbour by jumping on their computer or mobile device and enjoying the digital experience."

Anyone can view the digital launch experience by visiting this page of the website https://www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz/discovery-experience

With the launch of the initiative just days away, Heidi says the response has been incredible so far.

"People really get it. They understand that this is an initiative by the people, for the people.

"They see that as individuals we can make a difference, have some fun, reap the benefits and win some amazing prizes.

"They see it as a fun community initiative that also packs a punch in terms of what it can deliver for Tauranga and they're signing up."

The Wednesday Challenge is a Challenge for people of Tauranga to travel differently one day a week for the year of 2022.

The challenge is powered by a web app that allows the public, businesses and schools to sign on, create a profile and start logging their journeys each Wednesday.

"There's an amazing $4000 major prize from My Ride Mount Maunganui, that people are in to win, simply if they sign up. Each month we have a $1000 prize giveaway. In March there's a $1000 shopping spree to the Crossing, April there's a $1000 bucket list experience from Chuffed gifts and in May a 4-month unlimited membership to F45 Tauranga worth $1,000 … and that's just for starters."

Whilst there's a strong environmental and road congestion focus to the challenge Heidi says the health and well-being benefits it also brings shouldn't be overlooked.

"There's stats that show that running for 15 minutes a day can help reduce depression by 26 per cent, 70 per cent of physically active people report better sleep, mild exercise is enough to reduce anxiety, bad moods and depression and improve self-esteem and cognitive function and exercising on workdays can boost your time management skills and your daily competed workload by an impressive 72 per cent.

"We're excited about the diverse ways the Wednesday Challenge can bring positive benefits to Tauranga."

The Wednesday Challenge aims to reduce car dependency in Tauranga over the year with a target of 20 per cent of regular drivers participating in the challenge.

"We currently sit at around 5 per cent, so if we all choose to make a difference just one day a week, we would see tangible change to how our streets feel -Think winding the clock back 10 years on Tauranga Traffic!"

The Wednesday Challenge launches March 2 in Tauranga, it is administered by Envirohub Bay of Plenty, with funding from Waka Kotahi, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council.

Keen to find out more? Go to www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz