Commute on foot in Scarborough to get fit in 2021
Workers are being urged to cycle, walk or run on their commute if they can, to boost fitness levels and save cash.
“We’re all really looking forward to a fresh start in 2021, so why not extend this to healthier ways to travel to work?” says Mandy Pepworth, a Sustainable Travel Project Officer working on the scheme.
“If you want to get fit and save money, as well as help the environment, look for active travel where possible.”
NHS guidelines recommend we should all do some type of physical activity every day – any type of activity is good for you.
According to the NHS, adults aged between 19 and 64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. Brisk walking and cycling count as moderate aerobic activity, as do mowing the lawn, dancing and rollerblading, while running, skipping and team sports like football and rugby all count as vigorous activity.
Open North Yorkshire has some great tips for residents to incorporate active travel like walking, running and cycling into your daily routine.
These include:
- Use your smart phone, or a fitness tracker/smart watch, to record all your steps and activity - you can motivate yourself by competing with others, or aiming to beat your own records
- For those who drive to work, why not try parking further away? This will allow you to boost your steps and daily activity
- When you arrive at work, take the stairs instead of the lift – this boosts your daily steps and increases your heart rate, all contributing towards your recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Open North Yorkshire hope that local businesses will pick up the baton and inspire their employees to become a little more active this January.
Encouraging active and sustainable travel for the commute has great benefits for your organisation and the well-being of your staff. Employees who are more active are likely to be more productive at work; the bonuses of a more active workforce also include a healthier workforce and reduced absenteeism, as well as freeing up car parking spaces for customers and visitors – one car is the equivalent to ten bicycle spaces!
Encouraging active travel can reduce your environmental impact and shows your commitment to both the local community and the planet, and it can also help many organisations on their journey towards corporate social responsibility targets.
Open North Yorkshire is a North Yorkshire County Council programme funded by the Department for Transport Access Fund to promote sustainable and active transport in Harrogate, Scarborough and Skipton. For the past three years, the team has worked with secondary schools, businesses and residents to increase awareness of the different, more sustainable modes of transport available including walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.
The scheme has been extended to March 2021 to boost efforts with businesses and schools to promote active and sustainable travel with free advice and support.
Discover more at https://opennorthyorkshire.co.uk.