TravelWise Health
How can TravelWise improve your health and save you money?
The TravelWise initiative doesn’t just end at getting more people to use sustainable travel for work and school. TravelWise is a way of life, just as eating healthily keeps you fit and reduces the likelihood of developing illnesses such as; heart disease and obesity, travelling more sustainably will increase your fitness and save you money!
Here are some tips on how to benefit your health by being more sustainable.
Walk about and work out
Walking is the most sustainable transport mode of all. It helps build fitness and promote weight loss, you don’t need any special equipment and it’s free! The national recommendation for physical activity in adults is 30 minutes of moderate activity (such as brisk walking) five times per week, or splitting your activity into three 10-minute walks is just as good for you.
Try:
- Getting off the bus a stop or two early and walking the rest of your journey
- Walk to the local shop instead of getting the car out
- Walk to explore the local area where you live or work – you might discover something new
- Use your lunchtime to go for a short walk
- Or start a lunchtime walking group with colleagues
- Help children stay fit and healthy, walk them to school or use a ‘walking bus’ - go to our schools page to find out more about this
More information on walking
Walking the Way to Health Initiative
More tips on getting active through walking.
Promotes walking for leisure and lobbies to improve conditions for walkers in the UK. Local groups very often organise escorted walks.
Information on local walks in and around Birmingham and tips on walking.
Pedal Power
Regular cycling is an ideal way to build physical activity into your daily routine. It will increase your strength and fitness, reduce the likelihood of developing serious illness, like osteoporosis and heart disease, in later life and help you lose weight as part of a weight loss plan. Cycling is a low-cost mode of transport, once you’ve purchased your bicycle and cycling equipment there is very little outlay for maintenance costs and cycling is about four times quicker than walking, which makes it ideal for commuting journeys.
Try:
- If you haven’t cycled for a while, or would like to learn how to cycle, look into getting some cycle training. Some local authorities run adult cycle training schemes for a small fee
- Get a local cycle map and see where cycle paths and off-road routes are located. Most local authorities produce cycling route maps
- Ask you employer if they are a member of TravelWise. If they are ask about getting help with promoting cycling to your employment site
- Find out more information about joining Company TravelWise
- If you want to cycle to work, ask your employer about providing secure on-site cycle parking, showers and lockers for cyclists
- Find out if there’s a local Bicycle Users Group (BUG) in your workplace or local area and if there isn’t maybe you could start one yourself – your local authority Company TravelWise Co-ordinator or CTC (see below) can give you advice on how to do this
More information on cycling
Is a major national cycling organisation working for and supporting touring and utility cyclists. Local groups usually organise escorted cycle rides.
The canal network provides a great place to cycle. Visit this site to get detailed maps for the entire UK canal network and download a free permit to allow you to cycle on towpaths.
Co-ordinates the National Cycle Network. Look for which part of the route serves your local area.
Visit your local authority website for more information on any of the above services and local initiatives in your area:
Why not email us.