Walking is without doubt the simplest, most cost effective and healthy means of transport available. With a bit of planning and a decent pair of shoes it can also be an extremely effective way of removing many of the short journeys that are currently made by car within town. Mile for mile walking burns more calories than cycling, so if you want to get fit quick walking is a great way to start – try our calorie calculator to find out how much difference you could make by switching your journey to an active one.Did you know that walking also has many additional benefits such as lowering blood pressure and increasing bone density, which helps to prevent osteoporosis in later life?

It can also enhance your mental wellbeing and is often ‘prescribed’ by GPs for people suffering from a range of conditions including depression and anxiety. As well as making an impact on your own health walking, instead of driving for short journeys, can dramatically reduce your transport carbon footprint and help the health of the planet too. The energy used by your body to walk one mile (approx 300 kilojoules) would be used up a by an small diesel car at maximum efficiency in under a fifth of a mile. Around town walking can be ten times more energy efficient than driving.

When you consider the ongoing cost of motorised transport switching to walking is also extremely good news for your wallet. Take a walk to work or the shops each week instead of driving and you could pocket a small fortune over the course of a year.