News releases

Walk this way for a more sustainable Basingstoke

 
Walking and cycling more to help cut carbon emissions, save people money on fuel and improve their mental and physical health are being encouraged under a new campaign.
 
 
Launched by Sustainable Basingstoke, the ‘Walk this way’ campaign asks people to choose to walk or cycle more often if they can, particularly for short journeys of under a mile that begin and end at home.
 
 
To inspire people to discover a love of walking and cycling and to highlight the benefits, including finding out more about the areas they live in, a digital campaign is being launched on Facebook along with placing posters and banners in well-visited locations across the borough.
 
 
For those with a more competitive spirit, a free six-week virtual walking and cycling challenge will launch later this year in time for the summer. This will give residents the ability to track how far they walk and cycle, inspire them to challenge themselves and encourage them to form teams and compete against others. A tree will be planted for every five people that sign up and take part.
 
 
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Action Cllr Hayley Eachus said: “Almost all of us can reduce our carbon footprint by choosing more sustainable ways of getting around, like walking to the shops or cycling to work, even if just once or twice a week.
 
 
“Alongside saving us money on fuel, burning calories and boosting our mood, there are other benefits too. This includes the chance to rediscover where we live, finding parks, green spaces, community centres and shops we may not have seen before as we explore our local footpaths and cycle ways.”
 
 
For more information about the campaign, see www.sustainable-basingstoke.co.uk/walk-this-way.