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This Friday, 5th October, across Australia, it is “National Walk to Work Day.”

Following my articles on Climate Change, and reflections on the Sydney Earth Hour event, as well as my follow up article on Australian Car Culture, I feel that I cannot let this event pass unnoticed.

I heard about Walk To Work Day in the same way many Australians will have done - by seeing it advertised on television. In case you missed it, I have put the YouTube version of the TV advert at the bottom of this post.

What’s it all about?

‘The Pedestrian Council’ who have set up the Walk to Work Day event describe it as:

“an event to promote regular walking and physical activity. It is an annual, national event in which the community can become involved in a healthy and environmentally friendly activity.” The Pedestrian Council.

What Does That Mean?

Essentially, for one day, they encourage people to walk to work, rather than driving. Alternatively, one can take the bus, or other public transport instead (walking part of the way).

Why Do They Do This?

The Walk to Work Day event has some clear aims:

• To promote regular walking as a healthy activity (better physical, mental & social health)
• To reduce the reliance on the private motor vehicle (reduce car-dependency)
• To promote and improve the use of public transport (less traffic)
• To improve air quality by reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions (reduce global warming)

Will it Work?

So will Walk to Work Day be a huge success, which sees Australian’s walking to work in their droves? I’m not convinced. It is highly likely that many Australian businesses will support this event - it is a Good Thing - which cannot harm any corporate image.

Beyond the day itself, how many people change their regular habits will be a better indicator of the relative success or failure of this scheme. Without a widespread behavioural shift away from the habitual car use that is present within much of Australian society, the event may well be seen as simply a token gesture.

Another inhibiting factor to this is the complete lack of pavements on Australian roads. Coming here from the UK, we noticed straight away what a treacherous experience walking on public roads can be in Australia - there’s never anywhere to walk but the road! This is not just in rural areas, which are particularly bad, it is also the same in many suburban locations.

The shopping centres in Australia are largely only accessible by car, so you can’t pop to buy a paper without driving. The liquor shops are drive through, even though many clients live within a five minute walk. Sometimes crossing the road may only be achieved in a car. In short, the whole fabric of society is built around motor car use: it is difficult to walk anywhere, and sometimes impossible.

As I mentioned in my post about Australian Car Culture, it may prove difficult to prise an Aussie away from his car. It is easier if it is just for the day.

A gesture is better than nothing, nonetheless, and without such events, it is likely very little will happen.

You can find out more about the National Walk to Work Day at the official homepage - www.walk.com.au.