The people of Scotland are being challenged to leave the car at home every Wednesday as part of a new campaign.
The ‘Walk Day Wednesday’ challenge was launched on 16 May by Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf, who says the campaign looks to help the country ‘reap the health and environmental benefits’ of walking.
The campaign coincides with other walking initiatives running this month including Walk to School Week, National Walking Month and the Step Count Challenge, and is backed by a number of charities, including Paths for All and Living Streets Scotland.
Focusing on long-term behaviour change, Transport Scotland says the campaign will look to inspire people who are travelling less than two miles to walk. In doing so, it is looking to create better health and safer travel, cut carbon emissions and deliver more pleasant communities.
Humza Yousaf said: “Walk Day Wednesday is a great incentive for people to pick one day of the week to get active, to leave the car and make those short journeys on foot, whether to work or to the local shop.
“The environmental benefits of walking are already well known, so we’re also highlighting the positive impact on physical health, mental wellbeing and general quality of life. Even this modest change can make a difference.
Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland said: “We fully support any initiative to encourage people to walk more short, everyday journeys. The launch of Walk Day Wednesday during Living Streets’ National Walking Month comes at a great time to highlight the big benefits small steps can make.”
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