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Facts and Figures
Local and national facts and figures about walking
- Sheffield has 3,400km's of footways and over 150 signalised pedestrian crossings, including pelican, puffin and toucan (pedestrian and cycle) crossings.
- Nationally 25% of all journeys are made on foot, however the number of walking trips nationally has fallen by over 20% over the last decade (National Travel Survey).
- 10% of Sheffield’s workforce walks to work compared to the national average of 11% (2001 Census).
- In Sheffield 58% of primary school children and 47% of secondary school pupils walk to school. These are both higher than the national averages of 54% and 43% respectively. (Yorkshire & Humber 'hands up survey and National Travel Survey).
- "walking is the nearest activity to perfect exercise" (Morris and Harmen 1997 – Walking to health).
- Nationally 25% of all car trips are less than two miles and 7% are under 1 mile. Converting some of these trips in Sheffield to walking would improve air quality, the populations' health and help reduce congestion. (National Travel Survey).
- Only 35% of Sheffield population are active enough to avoid health risks. (Sheffield Physical Activity Strategy 2004 – City on the Move).
- Sheffield's Physical Activity Strategy 'City on the Move' recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity on 5 or more days of the week for adults and at least one hour a day of physical activity* for young people to maintain health.
- *moderate intensity physical activity to maintain health should make you feel warm and breathe slightly harder. Brisk walking for 30 minutes, or even 2x15 minutes or 3x10 minutes walking a day will have a positive influence on your health.
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