Walking

Walking for Health | Getting to know your neighbourhood
Improved Conditions for Pedestrians | What about the rain?
What about cold weather? | How much money can I save?
Which journeys are best for walking?

Nearly everyone can walk – but often we end up jumping in the car even for journeys when a short walk would get us wherever we’re going.

But walking to work, college or school – or wherever else you’re going locally - has to be one of the best ways of getting a fresh air fix, saving money, maybe even saving time - all this in a trip you've got to do anyway!

Dublin’s slow and unpredictable car speeds make walking an increasingly attractive option. Whatever the traffic conditions are on a particular day, you’ll find the time taken to make any regular journey on foot is very predictable. Planning your day is much easier and a whole lot less stressful when you know exactly when you will arrive.

If it's a trip you've got to make, why get stuck in a jam? If you walk you’re much more likely to travel relaxed, and stress free. And you’ve no parking problems to worry about when you get there.

Walking for Health

Walking is not only cheaper than driving and better for the environment, it's good for you as well!

Want to lift your mood and reduce stress levels? Want to be good to your heart, lungs, and lower your cholesterol levels and blood pressure? Start walking! It'll also strengthen bones and lessen the risk of osteoporosis.

Regular walking is as good as joining a gym and if you walk while going about your daily routines you don’t have to make time in your schedule for yet another activity. It will keep you fit and can help you lose weight. You'd be surprised what even a short walk can do - walking just two kilometres a day or for twenty minutes briskly will burn off about 125 calories.

Even if you don't change your eating habits, this walking will result in weight loss of almost half a kilo a month or six kilos a year. Not bad for so little effort. Walking is great for all age groups, it is simple and safe and does not require costly equipment. All that is needed is a comfortable pair of walking shoes and suitable clothing for the weather conditions and you’ve probably already got these!

And you don’t have to be super-fit to enjoy walking. One of the great things about walking is you can take it at whatever pace suits you.

Of course not all of us live close enough to work to walk – but maybe you can combine walking with public transport – for example by walking instead of driving to the train station or by getting off a bus stop or two early on the way home.

Where you can, try walking more often to local shops, pubs or restaurants in your area, instead of driving.

If you are a car driver, walking can also give you the good feeling that you are doing your bit for a more pleasant city and a cleaner environment by leaving your car behind.

So why not try walking instead of driving when you can?

Getting to know your neighbourhood

There’s a social side to walking. You can meet your neighbours as you walk and chat. You can check out what’s happening in the neighbourhood. You can see the places in your neighbourhood your children play in. Without even trying you can become more aware of your community and start taking a more active interest in it. And as more people walk in a neighbourhood, it becomes a safer and more pleasant place to live in.

Improved Conditions for Pedestrians in Dublin City Centre

In the past, some people have been put off walking to work or college or the shops in Dublin City Centre because of the unpleasant traffic environment. There was too much traffic, often moving too fast, and a lot of it was heavy trucks.

Well, the Port Tunnel is now open, and this has made a huge difference in the city centre. Since the Tunnel has opened there has been a decline of over 80% in large trucks on the Quays. Declines on other streets in and around the city centre have been even greater.

Dublin City Council has worked to change the walking environment in the city centre for the better and more improvements to the city centre environment for pedestrians are planned.

What about the rain?

So – it rains sometimes, but remember before you jump in the car on a rainy day - everyone else has the same idea and the traffic will be even worse than usual. Get a decent rain/wind top or umbrella and check the weather forecasts for the days when you might get caught in a shower or worse. Of course no-one says you have to walk every day, so if you’re worried about a particularly ugly looking cloud lurking on the horizon maybe just get the bus in that day.

What about cold weather?

Gloves and a scarf are of course useful on particularly cold mornings. Other than that, cold crisp fresh air makes walking really fun – a break from the artificial environment of centrally heated homes, air conditioned cars and heated workplaces. And since you are moving you’re generating your own heat.

How much money can I save?

Petrol costs saved for an 3km (2 mile) each way trip in Dublin city will be on average €170 a year. And maintenance costs saved (tyres, servicing, repairs) saved will be around €140 a year. This excludes any parking costs saved. It also excludes the standing costs of owning a car - car depreciation, insurance, etc, which the AA estimates (2007) at a staggering €4,500 a year for an small-medium size car.

For a 3km (2 mile) each way trip to work in Dublin, the bus fare saved will be around €480 a year.

Which journeys are best for walking?

Journeys to work or school – if work is close enough to where you live. Unlike driving, walking times are very consistent and reliable.
On business – traffic can be unpredictably bad at any time of the working day – if you’re out and about on business or meetings relatively close to work it can make a lot of sense, and save time, to walk when you can instead.
To a rail station or bus stop.
To local shops – for taking “top up” shopping home – and you don’t have any of the stresses of car parking.
To parks or sports facilities – its great to get out for some fresh air and exercise but having to drive there defeats the purpose. Try walking instead – maybe with friends or family.
Visiting friends - you don’t need to worry about getting taxis or lifts home To cinemas or for a meal – again no need to worry about taxis or lifts home and no parking worries either.

For help in choosing the shortest route from A to B covering most of the built up area of Dublin, why not try out the NTA Walking Journey Planner. Don’t forget though that there may be other slightly longer but more pleasant routes, so if you’re making the same journey on a regular basis, experiment with alternatives.