ETA

Half of all journeys are less than 2 miles long – ideal for walking or cycling. Yet many of these trips – to the local shop for the Sunday papers, dropping children off at school, going to the cinema or sports centre – are made by car.

It seems so easy to hop behind the steering wheel. And there are lots of things to stop you walking or cycling. Who wants to breathe in all those fumes? You take your life in your hands crossing some roads. But getting there under your own steam is one of the most effective ways of getting to your destination – and staying fit.

The great thing about walking and cycling is that you can build it into your everyday routing – cycle to work, walk with the kids to school. That means you’re more likely to keep it up – travelling green and getting fit at the same time.

So what can you do about it?

• Keep a note of a week’s journeys. Look at the really short journeys (under 2 miles). How many were by car? Feel good if you walked to school or cycled to work!
• Think before you travel. Walking and cycling are healthy as well as green. Maybe you would cycle if there was a decent cycle path. Or walk if there wasn’t a four lane dual carriageway to cross. Write to your local paper about this.
• If you are part of a youth/church/women’s group – discuss what needs to be done locally to make it easier to walk and cycle.
• Ask the local council health promotion officer and a council highways engineer to a public meeting to discuss how transport is linked with healthy – and unhealthy – lifestyles.