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BANG FOR THE BITE

If 10,000 Biters walk 5 miles a week instead of driving, in a year we'll eliminate the CO2 created by 240 cars.

COCKTAIL FACT

In the United States, 25% of trips are under a mile, but we make 75% of those trips by car.

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home › tip library › Walking

Does beating the pavement make good horse sense?

The Bite

You bet your money on the bobtail nag, it does. Walking short distances instead of taking the car means big savings on gas, less air pollution, and shedding that spare tire, er, horseshoe.

The Benefits

Getting fit as a horse. Even at a slow pace, you'll burn around 100 calories per mile, and consistent exercise from walking reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Saving change for the races. Walking 1 mile each day instead of driving will save you about 15 cents on gas.
Not horsing around with our air. Walking instead of driving 10 1-mile trips each week averts 500 pounds of CO2 emissions per year.
Connecting with neigh-bors. It's easier to interact with other people when you're not stuck behind the wheel.

Personally Speaking

When Jen moved from Atlanta (land of highways) to NYC and sold her car, she lost 7 pounds in a month from all the short trips she made on foot.

Wanna Try?

Um, well, walk. Just remember to stay hydrated (with the help of your Biter bottle, natch).
Walk Score - ranks 2,508 U.S. neighborhoods for their walkability. See which neighborhoods it rated best for walking.

Sep 08,2008

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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.

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By Hoof or by Crooked Back

When you live downtown in a city, you get so used to walking everywhere that sometimes you can develop a false sense of proximity and ease. On more than one occasion, I've energetically set out to the grocery store (about a 35 minute walk each way) only to find myself feebly straggling along the final three blocks (uphill on the return) under the weight of an overzealous shopping spree.

So just a few tips from a seasoned hoofer (mind the f): 1. Skip wearing flips or shoes with even a modest heel, and go for truly comfortable, balancing shoes that help you walk, even if they're really weird-looking (do try to avoid wearing these in public, though), 2. Wear a backpack to carry your reusable bags there, and to carry the heavier things (champagne, cantaloupe) on the way back, 3. Go for reusable bags with straps that fit over your shoulders rather than ones you have to carry in hand (unless you like not feeling your fingers), and 4. Shop in moderation - save the bulk almonds and other less-perishable stuff you don't need immediately for a monthly car trip.

-Jenifer Morgan...off to straighten things out in yoga...

Biter Comments...

I am often shocked by how many people choose to drive short distances rather than walk. I work in a city area very close to tons of great restaurants, and yet my office mates almost always choose to drive, even though parking can be difficult. a On the other hand, walking is sometimes not an option. America just isn't set up that way! I drive home through a residential neighborhood just down the street from a major busway. But there are no sidewalks! People who are walking practically hang onto the bushes, often having to wait for cars to pass.

Posted by: Meredith | September 08, 2008 at 07:09 AM

I live within 2 miles of my work, the public library, a grocery store & several restaurants. Because I live in a downtown area there are good sidewalks & even bike lanes on some of the streets so walking in good weather is no problem. I also work for the University of Louisville which offers its underpaid employees the wonderful perk of free public transportation so I can also catch the bus to most other areas of the city saving me a so much money that I can usually get away with spending $10 a week for gas. Maybe if the bus schedules were better I could get away without my car at all.

Posted by: Lynn | September 08, 2008 at 09:57 AM

Since I started walking to the train to commute to work (instead of driving the whole way in) I've had much more energy and haven't had the 3 o'clock crash (running out of steam in the afternoon) that I used to get. My husband and I have both lost weight, and we've met lots of nice people on the walk and the train. Much better than when my only human interaction was honking at someone who cut me off in traffic!

Posted by: Katie Giddings | September 08, 2008 at 11:49 AM

We moved a few years ago and chose our neighborhood for its walkability. Within half a mile or less I have a small grocery store, the vet, my pharmacy, the dry cleaners, a 7/11, and a multitude of small restaurants and coffee shops. A bit further afield (maybe 1 mile) are two libraries, one in either direction. And we live on two very good bus lines that get me downtown in about 35 minutes depending on traffic. It's a perfect location. The only errand I sometimes run in the car is the dry cleaners, bringing the clean clothes home. I seem to be able to lug the bag of dirty stuff, like Santa Claus, but carrying the slippery bags full of freshly pressed shirts & trousers is more than I can do.

Posted by: Kathy Byrd | September 08, 2008 at 05:20 PM

I live in the very hot and humid South -- a suburb of New Orleans (River Ridge). I'm really just getting into the "Going Green" wave. I'd like to start walking a little and I plan to do so early in the morning. I am retired so could walk any time during the day, but it would be awful hot after 9 a.m. I don't really have any businesses close by other than a QuickStop. When I have the grandkids I used to stroll them but they are getting older (2, 3 &4) so that's not an option. Also, I live in an uncorporated suburb so we don't have sidewalks. Anyway, any suggestions for making my solitary walks interesting to keep me motivated to continued them? Thanks

Posted by: GiGi | September 08, 2008 at 09:06 PM

To keep walks interesting: It's always fun to walk to visit someone, if you have friends or family in the area. If there are any wildlife like ducks or small birds around you could walk someplace nice and sit and feed them birdseed or stale bread. Or pack a thermos of coffee or tea for yourself and walk someplace to sit and drink it while reading the paper or something. Books on tape (or CD or podcast) with headphones are another way to keep a solo walk interesting if you're just walking a loop and going back home.

Posted by: Katie Giddings | September 09, 2008 at 08:55 AM

I also live in the hot, humid south - Houston. I checked out my neighborhood walk score - 42 - ugh! At least my gym is right around the corner which I walk to every day. Not much else close by except the bayou where I walk my dog.

Posted by: Betsy | September 09, 2008 at 07:55 PM

For me, the ONLY advantage to city living is having so much within walking distance, but in the "boonies," where I live, a motor vehicle is a necessity because there is no such thing as a "short walk" to ANYWHERE. I'd like to join a gym, but that's out of my budget. This summer, I've again started walking three times a week at my favorite walking place -- the "local" tech school track -- which is about nine-plus miles (one way) from where I live. Good thing it hasn't been all that humid here in New England this summer because humidity makes outdoor exercise rough going for someone like me who's mildly asthmatic.

Posted by: Linda | September 10, 2008 at 07:51 AM

Heyyyyyy, I LOVE my stupid-looking white MBTs! Sadface.

Posted by: Kim | September 13, 2008 at 09:43 AM

New Orleans is the place to bean. So humid down under. tirerack com

Posted by: karylle | November 10, 2008 at 02:02 PM