How to Promote Walking in May

Wouldn’t it be great if the beautiful weather we are having made everyone think ‘Wow. I think I’ll leave the car at home and walk to work/school/the shops every day now. I know it will be so much better for my health/community/the environment’?

The reality is people are engrained in their habits and need something to motivate, inspire and enable them to break free and shift their routine. That’s why walking, although it is ‘free’, needs promoting! 

We can all be very quick to think of the barriers why we can’t do something - it’s too far, I’ve got to go on to somewhere else, I’ve got too much to carry… and so on. But even if some barriers are too tough to conquer, some can be pushed down, climbed over or skirted around. 

Too far to walk to work or school? - Park a little further away and walk the last bit. 

Too busy to walk every day? - Try just once a week. 

For those of us whose roles involve inspiring or enabling a particular group of people eg in a school or workplace to walk more for everyday journeys, initiatives, schemes and resources to support this are really helpful.

Ways to Promote Walking in May

Living Streets charity focus on promoting walking at the start of the summer by annually highlighting May as ‘walking month’ (although of course every month can be ‘walking month’!).

Even those who are unable to walk but can ‘wheel’ - eg use a mobility scooter or wheelchair - are included and can benefit from the team spirit of taking part in their initiatives.

In previous years we have featured some of the activities that can help inspire others to get into the walking habit in May. Please read our Walk This May Blog.

In our own workplace here at Brightwayz our staff enjoyed our walk challenge and made it into a photo comp. 

Workplaces can try lunchtime walks or ‘netwalking’ meetings - especially if staff are unable to make the journey to work on foot but would like a stroll in the day.

For walking to school this can be a great time to try out a walking bus, pedometer challenge or a themed walk to school. Children love stickers too to show they were part of it. 

Within communities, nudges to walk such as 'five minutes to town' custom printed pavement stickers and lamp post stickers can remind people of how quick it is to walk. 

All these activities can be incorporated into your school, workplace or organisation’s travel plan. Keep a note of how many people take part, where, when and try -  and get some pics for evidence, social media and future inspiration too. 

Well the sun is shining so I’m off to work now… wonder how I should get there!!! 
 

Here at Brightwayz social enterprise we love to provide information and tips to help you, your colleagues, friends and family travel in safe, active, sustainable ways for everyday journeys.

Our unique range of products is here to help support your active travel campaigns and 100% of profits from sales is ploughed back to support the work we do. Take a look at our range here and find something to help you inspire others to travel in good ways.