Machka 

Do you have something like this in your area?


This is a 10-year plan which I've only just recently become aware of.
Get Moving Tasmania - Home page


According to the information on the website:

I think the Move More Sit Less campaign might be new ... which may be why I've only just become aware of this.
Get Moving Tasmania - Move more, sit less

Anyway, they do appear to be encouraging people to do things like walk to the shops in order to move more.

Dahon.Steve

Interesting.

Not in my area but probably New York City. I guess the only community fitness programs in my town are at the various health clubs. It's too bad most are quite expensive and they don't have family discounts.

I like all the stories they had in particular the children's cycling bus.

>>>>>

The St Leonards Primary School Cycling Bus runs every Wednesday and involves a number of staff and parents meeting students at designated pick up/drop off points and cycling to and from school. The course is approximately three kilometres. Due to popularity the number of students is capped at 20 for safety reasons. The school is situated in a perfect area for bike riding; the roads have designated bike lanes, the area is flat and the school has a large bike rack (that was previously empty). Other schools take part in ‘walking buses’ and so the school adapted this idea to make a ‘cycling bus’.

Roody

Yes we have that stuff here. Right now there is a Million Pound community weight loss challenge because there's too much obesity around here.

This morning, TJ Duckett and other former Spartan football stars walked kids to their schools. They're trying to get kids to want to walk to school--so they'll exercise more and so that people will work to make walking safer for kids in different neighborhoods. I thought that was cool. It looked like both the kids and the jocks were having a pretty good time on their walks.

tandempower

Programs like that are often ways to generate government spending for things that don't require it. People can get out and walk more on their own if they're motivated. Instead of spending money on motivating people, why not spend the money on infrastructure improvements recommended by those who have already been motivated and have ideas from experience for improving walking and biking paths?

Roody

Are you aware of any studies on the efficacy of those motivational programs? Maybe they're more helpful than you think. (I really don't know.)

I agree with your premise that improving infrastructure is the best way to get more people moving. But the corollary is that when more people get involved, they will in turn push for better infrastructure. And it gives clueless politicians a reason to fund for btter infrastructure: "Duh, I see a lot of kids and adults walking these days. Maybe we should put in more crosswalks and fix the sidewalks."

One thing I liked about the athlete's program to walk to school with kids was that they emphasised BOTH. One emphasis was on creating infrastructure tor "Safe routes to School". But they also emphasised the importance of getting kids motivated so that they WANT to walk to school. And they donated their time so it probably didn't cost the taxpayers much, if anything. Most of these motivational programs are funded by federal grants and money from non-government foundations such as United Way. So they don't cost the local taxpayers much.

On a personal note...My grandson has always been driven to school, even though it's only about a mile away. He would not hear of walking or riding a bike to school. But just before school started this fall, I heard him ask his mom if it would be OK if he got up a little earlier and walked to school this year. My jaw hit the ground! It turns out that the reason is not because he's a sudden health nut or carfree advocate. The reason is that one of his friends lives nearby and is walking to school. So now it's FUN to walk.

I think Tico Duckett and the other athletes had the right idea that making it fun is one of the best ways to motivate kids to do things.

Even as an adult, I know that I have many good intellectual reasons to be carfree and to walk or ride everywhere. But I probably still wouldn't do it if it wasn't also FUN.

Phil_gretz

From a public policy perspective, it might be better to create financial disincentives for being heavier. Higher health care premiums, higher airline fares, and the like might motivate folks just as much.

In North America, the NFL runs an annual campaign to encourage kids to be active for 60 minutes a day, corresponding to the playing time of an NFL game.

There are internet-centered regional groups that offer all kinds of activities and common interests. MeetUp is one application/server based thing. I participate in the BikeMeDC group, when I have time (which hasn't been much this year), but the rides are terrific and varied, the folks really nice. There are clubs for walking, dancing, rock climbing...you name it. Of course there are also groups for eating and wine tasting and baking...so caveat emptor.

Roody

Oh, I see now that the local university athletes' walking to school with kids was part of a nation-wide effort.

Thousands of Communities Nationwide Celebrate Walk to School Day | National Center for Safe Routes to School

Walter S

I wonder if you could get insurance companies to go along with that?

Roody

My insurance company gives me a discount for not smoking, getting an annusal physical, and answering a nosey questionnaire about my living habits. About 10% off monthly premiums.

Machka 

An article on the site I mentioned above ... "Cycling Bus"

Cycling Bus | 1000 stories in 10 years


We've got a Walking Bus in our area, but this is a little article about a Cycling Bus.