Transport

There are many ways to team up transport in your neighbourhood.

Walking: You could start a Walking Action Group. As well as getting you fit and healthy and get to know your neighbours, walking has been demonstrated to build "social capital". That is, it improves community safety, reduces traffic congestion and boosts local businesses. Your walking group can survey the area and let your local government know what improvements can be made: EG providing sloping pathways from pavements to roads for accessibility for wheelchairs/ bikes/prams or faulty street lights. Families can team up to create a walking bus to take kids safely to and from school.

Car pooling: If public transport is inconvenient where you live, it's likely that a number of people in your hood will be commuting separately to workplaces close to one another. Sharing the journey will cut costs, effort and the environmental impact of traffic and pollution. Check out some tips for Car-pooling here.

Car sharing: Our streets are lined with parked cars – there's no need to buy a new one of your own. Organise with your neighbours to share a car at the times you need it. To save trouble down the road, it's wise to set out an agreement up front on how you will split petrol, insurance and maintenance costs.

On two wheels: cyclists unite! There are all kinds of local information and maintenance expertise you can peddle, from safe routes and commuting groups to associations and workshops. You could start a bike co-op in your local community to share cycling resources. Check out your local state wide cycling peak body such as bicylces victoria.