U-PASS Profiles
Walking: Profile
(originally published in the Summer 2000 U-Commute News)
Nancy Wick, Editor of University Week
Walking is the oldest and still one of the best forms of transportation. Walking to work reduces pollution, conserves fossil fuels and reduces traffic congestion. And beyond all the physical health benefits, walking can also reduce stress and anxiety.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, Americans walk an average of two to four miles a week. With the U-PASS increase the number of miles you walk. Take the bus to work with your U-PASS, and walk home. A U-PASS helps you take incremental steps towards a more manageable walking commute.
Walking may be motivated by a variety of reasons—health, environment or financial resources. Nancy Wick was motivated to walk by the latter. "I started walking to work back in 1987, when parking fees were first raised substantially. When the cost of my permit soared from $36.50 per quarter to $60 per quarter, I decided there had to be a better way. I bought myself a good pair of walking shoes and started parking way out there on neighborhoods streets and walking to campus in about 20 minutes."
Even though Nancy was walking regularly, eating right, and getting plenty of rest, she did not understand why she was getting so many colds. After learning it took 17 minutes of walking to release endorphins, she took her doctor's recommendation and increased her walking to 30 minutes. The extra ten minutes in her route made all the difference.
A year went by and her car broke down. Having no money to fix the problem, she began to take the bus partway to work. Her commute became a full walking commute in the winter when it snowed. Realizing the buses would be delayed she thought, "I wonder if I could walk all the way." So Nancy walked the entire route from her home in the northern edge of Wedgewood, a little more than three miles from campus.
After six years, the most noticeable benefit: dropping one dress size without losing weight. Nancy continues to walk to work and on the weekends. She has a U-PASS to take the bus home in the afternoon. She makes the time to walk. As she puts it, "I think of it [walking] as an investment in my sanity. When I miss my walk I am not a happy person."
Benefits
- Daily exercise
- More smiles
- More time for you
- Much improved mood
- Learn about your neighborhood
- Generate creative ideas
TIPS
- Travel on residential streets
- Work up gradually - start with 20 minutes, then 30, and then 40
- Buy good walking shoes and socks - walking shoes are not the same as running shoes
- Keep your dress shoes at work or carry them with you
- Have gear for the weather
- Commit to doing it every day
