Car exclusion zones around schools

The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) have produced a report saying banning vehicles from around schools could dramatically reduce obesity.

The report found that currently 38% of all journeys under 2 miles are taken by car, this distance could be covered in a 30 minute brisk walk. Parents walking their children to school would also reduce CO2 emmisions by 11 million tonnes.

The report's lead author, Dr Adrian Davis said: "The substitution of car use for walking is a major contributor to the steep rise in obesity, as walking is the most obvious way for most people to burn calories.
"A small daily reduction in walking over a decade or more has a profound and damaging impact on body weight."
Carolina Valsecchi, from the IEEP, said: "The twin crises of obesity and climate change are clearly interlinked through the switch from muscle power to engine power for transport. Concerted action is needed to reverse both these trends. Our research demonstrates that something as simple as walking short trips now made by car would make an important important contribution to tackling both obesity and climate change."

Your Views

Posted by: Diane Pitman Posts: 30 From: Wimborne Dorset		Walk to School Although I basically agree with the sentiments I do wish they would stop picking on the kids and Mums walking to school. How about the workers walking to their office? I think kids are an easy target and they are used as a back door method to put pressure on parents.

	Posted: 15/Aug/07 at 8:53:24

Posted by: JoanW Posts: 38 From: Wapping London		Replies Problem is you have to start somewhere. If children are encouraged to walk to school then maybe when they grow up they will walk to work.

	Posted: 04/Sep/07 at 22:48:22

What do you think?
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