Green Transport Week
If you are one of the 4 million people who commute less than 3 miles by car, cycling to work could save you money, get you fit and help you do your bit for the environment. (17th-26th June 2011)
The aim of Green Transport Week is to raise awareness of the impact travel has on the environment, to make people stop and think about the way they travel on every journey and to send a message to the government that the people of Great Britain care about green transportation issues.
Bicycles can be cheap to buy, cost almost nothing to run and can be insured against theft from as little as 33 pence a day. Wherever you go by bike, you are unlikely to have difficulty finding a parking space – and you won’t be charged any money for the pleasure.
At a leisurely pace, a distance of 3 miles takes only twenty minutes. It’s an aerobic exercise that is kind to your joints – research has found that regular cyclists have a level of fitness equivalent to someone 10 years younger, and unlike a gym membership, if you don’t use your bicycle you will not be charged.
Cycling helps the environment because it is responsible for very little pollution, noise or danger. 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.
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.
But 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.
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.
The Environmental Transport Association (ETA) was established in 1990 as an ethical motoring organisation and sustainable travel lobby group. Their aim is to raise awareness of the impact of transport on the environment and help individuals and organisations to make positive changes in their travel habits.
www.eta.co.uk