Walking is one of the most natural exercises and almost everyone can do it. The only equipment you need are the right shoes. And the feeling it gives me is mildly like cycling. Just being outdoors makes it worthwhile.

For a long time before I got the bright idea to ride my bike to work, walking was my choice. I think walking strengthened my heart and blood vessles, preparing the way for cycling later on. Now I use walking as an alternative on light exercise days. Just like eating a balanced meal, I am discovering that a variety of exercises which strengthen different parts of my body are important for a balanced exercise program. I may try rowing, as well, for my upper body. Why not have ALL the fun?

But cycling is still my basic foundational heart/lung/leg exercise, my favorite.

If we had more American urban areas like Paris (see Cambronne's previous post--priceless), in which people primarily walked everywhere instead of driving, the effect would be very positive. Instead of empty sidwalks (or no sidewalks) along barren stretches of road crowded with anonymous steel and glass vehicles ("Honey, did you see what that Chevy just did?"),
strewn with empty paper cups and trash, we would have crowded sidwalk cafes and shops, with the smell of fresh food wafting through the air, and a symphony of sounds, voices and live music. O.K., we do have that in lots of places. It sure beats the huge malls and road rage, replacing it with open spaces and people's faces.