More than half of Brits drive 'easily walkable' distances

According to a survey conducted by the College of Podiatry, London, more than half of Brits choose to drive or jump on public transport rather than travel on foot to somewhere within ‘easy walking distance’.

The study revealed that British people walk for less than 15 minutes each day, on average.

Out of the 2,000 adults quizzed, 43 per cent said they drove to work and 39 per cent claimed to use the car to visit family and friends – despite these destinations being close enough to walk. The biggest reasons cited for such apparent laziness were time and punctuality, though 61 per cent admitted the choice to take the car depended on the weather. Some 16 per cent said they are simply too tired to walk.

Whatever the reason, these statistics make a strong case for the need for efficient engines and alternatively-fuelled vehicles. Overuse of our cars not only contributes to poorer health but is also putting more carbon into the air we breathe.

Speaking as part of World Environment Day, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd said today: “We have already reduced our emissions by 30 per cent from 1990 levels and have championed national carbon emission cuts across the EU of at least 40 per cent by 2030. We’ve seen amazing advances in technology in the last decade and Britain is at the forefront of developing low-energy, clean technologies.”

But the College of Podiatry also warned that we shouldn’t just be worried about the concerning health of the current generation, as it points out that these habits aren’t good examples to be setting to children. Parents are perhaps the main offenders with 85 per cent quizzed driving their children to school.