Giveaways and discount offers are up for grabs on 18 May for people who start or step-up a healthy walking routine.
Hackney Council has teamed-up with 10 cafes and shops across the borough to launch ‘Walking is Rewarding’ day, aimed at encouraging residents, and people who commute or visit the borough, of all ages to walk more as part of a healthier lifestyle with free and discounted food and drink incentives.
Walking to or from work, school, the shops or just for fun is healthier, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than using public transport, it’s also a great way of experiencing and exploring Hackney’s green spaces, local landmarks and getting some fresh air.
Many people commute from further distances which makes transport necessary, but if walking is an option, stepping off the train or bus at an earlier stop from a destination is one way to improve health. Walking is also an opportunity to meet friends, family and socialise.
The more people that walk also reduces the number of cars on the road, improving the environment while cutting traffic congestion. For last year’s ‘Walking is Rewarding’ day, with parents walking their children to school, schools that logged journeys reported a 25-per-cent reduction in car journeys compared to the previous month.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Sustainability, said: “The Walking Rewarding day is a fantastic opportunity to start a healthy walking habit or increase the amount of walking you do as part of a daily routine. Walking, for just 30 minutes per day, is a great way to increase physical activity, reducing the risk of major health problems whilst helping to reduce the environmental impact caused by vehicle use. Walking also provides social time with children, friends and work colleagues – there are so many wellbeing and environmental benefits from such a simple and free exercise. I want to encourage all residents to get involved with this year’s ‘Walking is Rewarding’ day, it’s a great excuse to launch a healthy daily habit.”
To take part in ‘Walking is Rewarding’, simply tweet: @greenerhackney, email: movegreener@hackney.gov.uk or call: 020 8356 8816 to receive a secret code which can be used to receive free or discounted food or drink.
Residents can post their walking photos using Twitter, Instagram or Facebook by using #Hackneywalking
To see a list of ‘Walking is Rewarding’ partners, addresses and offers available, please take a look at the poster online by visiting: news.hackney.gov.uk/walking/
