The way we choose to travel can have big implications for our health. People with active lifestyles stay healthy and more mobile as they get older. Cycling and walking both offer cheap and environmentally friendly ways of travelling that also provide major health benefits.

Unfortunately walking and cycling have both declined over the last ten years. Between 1985/86 and 1995/97, the overall proportion of journeys on foot fell from 34 to 28 per cent, and by bicycle from 2.4 to 1.6 per cent. (Department for Transport)

The National Travel Survey shows that the average distance walked per person per year has been steadily dropping. (Department for Transport)

Stats taken from BMA's Road Transport and Health book say that:

• 72% of all trips made are under five miles in length
• The number of kilometre miles cycled has fallen from nearly 21 billion kilometres on public roads in 1951 to 4.4 billion kilometres in 1994
• There has been an increase in car use for very short journeys

Why is physical activity important?

According to the British Heart Foundation:

'Physical activity is very good news for your heart.

• Physical activity halves the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
• Among people who have heart attacks, those who have been physically active are twice as likely to survive the heart attack compared to people who have not been active.
• Physical activity as part of a rehabilitation programme reduces the risk of dying after a heart attack by 20%.
• Physical activity reduces your risk of having a stroke -
• It helps lower your blood pressure.
• It reduces the risk of diabetes.
• It helps you to lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Physical activity also gives you -
• More energy
• Relief from stress, and
• A lower risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).

The greatest increase in health benefit comes to inactive people who start to take regular moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, dancing or swimming. Also, there is no threshold of activity that you have to reach before you can benefit - a little activity is better than none!

You don't have to go to a gym, or play sports, or use special equipment. You can become more active just by working more activity into your everyday life. Many people who do regular activity say that it makes them feel better, and that they notice an improvement in their mood and self-confidence. It can also be a lot of fun.'

Physical activity can help prevent the following:

• Stroke
  Physical activity reduces your risk of having a stroke.
  It helps lower your blood pressure.
  It reduces the risk of diabetes.
  It helps you to lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Osteoporosis
  Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in twelve men over the age of 50 years in the UK.Bones need regular weight-bearing exercise which stimulates them to strengthen. Brisk walking is a good bone building exercise (together with running, skipping, aerobics etc. For further information visit the National Osteoporosis Society web site.
• Stress
  Mental health and wellbeing can be improved by physical activity such as walking. In addition, a reduction in time spent driving in congested traffic can result in less driving stress.

For further information

Association for the Study of Obesity
National Asthma Campaign
Breathe Easy - British Lung Foundation
British Heart Foundation
The Family Heart Association