Best Foot Forward

CARL SARGEANT AM SUPPORTS WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is throwing his support behind Walk to School Week (19-23 May 2008).Now in its fourteenth year, Walk to School Week aims to turn the school run into a healthy walk.Mr Sargeant said: “Walking and cycling to school can bring about tremendous health benefits for children and their parents, as well as wider community benefits from reduced vehicle emissions and less congested roads. “Walking to school with Mum or Dad from an early age can also help children get in ingrained sense of road safety, making it safer when they are out and about alone as older children.”A few facts…• Walking one mile can burn up at least 100 calories of energy and walking two miles a day, three times a week, can help reduce weight by one pound (0.5kg) every three weeks. • In Wales, the statistics for car trips show that about 8% of car journeys are under 1 mile, 26% are under two miles and 58% are under 5 miles. • Soaring obesity rates have led to an increase in childhood type II diabetes and will lead to more future cases of heart disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers. • The school run accounts for 18% of car trips by residents of urban areas during term time at 8.45am. • The start of secondary school is the most dangerous year for children on Britain's roads. Walking to school is a safe way of weaning children off parental supervision so they are better equipped to travel independently.