Walk to Work
Your commute to work is the ideal time to take the opportunity to be more active. If you live close to your workplace, why not walk? Even if not, why not take public transport most of the way and walk the last 20 minutes?
Did you know: In heavy traffic jams, the air quality can be poorer inside the car than outside. Car users are exposed to upto three times as much pollution as pedestrians.
Walk to Work Week 9 - 13 May 2011
Walk to Work Week takes place every year and is organised by Living Streets. You can participate by just walking to work! However, more information, support and funding is readily available for businesses and other organisations that want to promote walking.
Why walk to work?
- In the Europe Union, physical inactivity is now a greater cause of illness than smoking
- To maintain a healthy lifestyle and a basic level of fitness, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking five days a week
- A brisk two mile walk burns off a chocolate bar's worth of calories
- Walking a mile in 20 minutes uses as much energy as running one mile in 10 minutes, or doing aerobics for 16 minutes
- By walking to work instead of driving, you could be saving on parking, fuel and car maintenance costs
- Transport now accounts for 25% of all UK carbon dioxide emissions. Cutting down on unnecessary car journeys is one way to help combat global warming
Regular brisk walking can:
- reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by up to 50%
- reduce the risk of stroke and diabetes
- reduce high blood pressure
- help you to manage your weight
- tone muscle and strengthen bones
- improve energy levels, reduce stress levels and aid sleep patterns
Contact us
For further information or to participate in Walk to Work Week please contact:
Sustainable Transport Officer
Telephone: 020 8547 5002
Email: environment@rbk.kingston.gov.uk