ISSUE 8 - JAN / FEB 2006

Need a New Year’s resolution? Be healthy, be green,  save money!

In this issue:-

A few tips for the New Year

Get cycling with “Women on Wheels” social rides

Did you know Kingston Council has a team of nationally accredited Cyclist Instructors?

Walk your way to better health!

Congratulations to our Issue 7 winner

Tips for the New Year

To celebrate the New Year this newsletter has a few tips and small changes you can make to be healthy, be green and save money in 2006! Not only will you benefit, but so will our environment.

Save money!

• Car share to reduce your petrol costs. Informally car share with a neighbour or work colleague or try a professional car sharing website such as www.sharethecar.org.
• Powered two wheel vehicles are cheaper to run, easier to park and quicker in heavy traffic than cars.
• Small cars are more fuel efficient. Cars that use alternative fuels not only reduce fuel costs, but also save Vehicle Excise Duty and congestion charges.

Be green!

Reduce your waste-line!  Each year Kingston residents produce over 80,000 tonnes of rubbish - that’s nearly half a tonne per person! We need to:

1. Reduce the amount of rubbish we produce and;
2. Re-use, recycle or compost more of our rubbish.

The good news is it’s easy to reduce, re-use and recycle your rubbish. See www.kingston.gov.uk/environment for more information!

Be healthy!

Walking is better than low salt diets for lowering blood pressure. It also increases bone mass.

In a trial, non-exercisers who began cycling around 19 miles a week (less than 3 miles per day) rapidly improved their aerobic fitness by over 11%. Cycling can also significantly reduce body fat.

This year, even if it’s just every now and then, why not see if you can do your bit to help reduce traffic congestion and pollution in our borough by using your car a little less?!? That’s good going!

Get cycling with "Women's on Wheels" social rides

We held two Women on Wheels rides in late 2005 to give novice female cyclists an opportunity to get together under the leadership of experienced cyclists to build their confidence and improve their skills. Both rides were very successful, so we’ve organised more for 2006!

Sunday 22 January – Meet 10am Market Place, outside Borders book store, Kingston upon Thames: Ride to Hampton Court along towpath, and return to Kingston via Bushy Park.  Tea stop at Hampton Court.  Ride approx 7 miles (2 hours).

Sunday 26 February – Meet 10am Market Place, outside Borders book store, Kingston upon Thames: Ride to Star and Garter Hill in Richmond along the River Thames towpath and back via the cycle route to Teddington Lock and return to Kingston.  Tea stop at Hawker Centre.  Ride approx 10 miles (3-4 hours).

These rides are mainly off road. They are suitable for people who have a reasonable control of a bicycle, including starting & stopping quickly, swerving to avoid objects, looking around, including behind. They are not suitable for complete beginners.

To book a place on any of these rides please call our Cyclist Training Co-ordinator on 020 8547 5826 or email eric.chasseray@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Cyclist Training

The team is available 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year and can meet you at a location of your choice. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a more experienced cyclist needing to build your confidence in a particular aspect, your lesson will be tailored to meet your requirements.

For more information, please call our Cyclist Training Co-ordinator on 020 8547 5826 or email eric.chasseray@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Walk your way to better health

Walking a mile in 20 minutes uses as much energy as running a mile in 10 minutes or swimming breast stroke for 10 minutes. But most people find walking a lot easier and more accessible than either of those!

Walking can improve your confidence, stamina, energy, weight control and life expectancy. All you need to get started is a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Walking to your workplace – or even to the nearest bus or train stop - is an easy way to incorporate exercise in your daily routine.

The Kingston Walking for Health Scheme arranges regular walks for different levels of fitness across the borough. All walks are led by qualified walk leaders who have been trained by the National Walking Health Initiative.

For more information, including a copy of the most recent walk schedule, call the Community Walking Officer on 020 8547 5312 or email your details to sam.merison@rbk.kingston.gov.uk or visit the Walking for Health page

Congratulations to our winner

Thank you to all of you who entered Issue 7’s competition! Congratulations to Bozena Miller from Kingston who was the lucky winner of a Cat Eye Light Set valued at £39.99