Part of Living Streets’ National Walking Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the benefits of walking, Walk to Work Week (12-20 May) is an opportunity for workers to ditch the car and try walking to work instead.
Living Streets Chief Executive Tony Armstrong will be joining Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, on Tuesday, May 13 for his walk to work at the Department for Transport from his London home.
Thousands of people will be putting their best foot forward during National Walking Month, and Walk to Work Week is one of its flagship events, with workplaces from all over the country taking part. Last year participants logged more than 25,000 walks to, from and at work – burning off the calorific equivalent of 10,000 muffins!
Living Streets champions pedestrians and campaigns for a safe, attractive streets where people want to walk. Walking is the cheapest, simplest and one of the most effective forms of exercise and walking for just 20 minutes a day can transform fitness levels, improve health and reduce stress and anxiety.
Participants can log their walks on the Living Streets’ Walk to Work Week website, www.walktoworkweek.org.uk, and see calories burnt, CO2 saved and compete against colleagues.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“From 12-16 May, Living Streets wants employees and employers across the UK to discover the benefits of walking so we’re delighted Robert Goodwill is stepping out with us and supporting Walk to Work Week.
“Whether it’s walking all or part of the journey to work, stepping out of the office for a lunchtime walk, or getting off the bus a few stops earlier on your way home, walking is a free and easy way to work more exercise into your daily routine.
“It’s also a free and sustainable way of getting to and from work. It saves on petrol and bus and train fares, it’s better for the environment and it can help reduce traffic congestion on our busy roads.
“Logging your walks on www.walktoworkweek.org.uk during Walk to Work Week is a great way to get started!”
Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said:
“A brisk walk into work is a great way to start the day and a fantastic opportunity to improve your overall health. By reducing the need for cars and buses on our roads, walking also makes our cities greener and creates a better environment in which to live and work. As a Yorkshire man, I know that shoe leather is a lot cheaper than fuel.”