Why aren't more people walking?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
June 25, 2008 1:03pm CST
There was a ceremony at the school today that I attended. Since I live around the corner from the school, I put my little ones in the stroller and walked down there. It's a beautiful day, so why waste the gas?
Upon arrival I noticed I was the ONLY person who walked!
Now we live in a very small community, and the majority of the families are within walking distance of the school. So why didn't anyone else walk?
I can understand some may have been just a bit too far to walk, or perhaps they had other running around to do before or after, or maybe they are incapable of walking a few blocks because of a disability, but there must be more people in this neighborhood capable of walking than just me.
With gas prices as they are, why aren't more people walking these short distances?
Do you walk if it's only a few blocks to your destination?
1 person likes this
16 responses
@shiri73 (38)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Thanks for this post! I walk everywhere, and I was starting to think that I was the only one. Most of my friends refuse to walk, even if they're just going down the street because they've gotten so used to driving. I think it's terrible that they're so lazy and that they waste gas like that.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Jun 08
I have friends in other areas who I speak to mostly online, and they don't even own cars. They are close enough to everything they need that they don't bother to buy a car, they just walk everywhere.
The only reason I have a car is because the grocery store nearby is too expensive so I go to Super Walmart, which is a 15 minute drive, and there are doctor appointments not within walking distance. Everything else I walk to.
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
26 Jun 08
I make sure I go for a walk every day - but when the children were at school I always walked there with them and walked down to pick them up afterwards. It's only about a kilometre from our house, but now I notice a lady who lives three houses away from me takes her children in the car every day! I think the walk to school was good for the kids - we had a chance to chat, and they were awake and alert by the time they arrived. It's sad to notice how many parents drive their kids everywhere these days - but maybe with petrol getting more and more expensive by the day, there will be more walking and healthier kids as a result!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Jun 08
A lady that lives across from me drives her children to school as well, and like I said, it's literally around the corner, no more than a 2 or 3 block walk! That is sad and lazy.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Jun 08
You Should come to Northern Ireland! 
Every evening bunches of power walkers take to the roads around Towns here! I live in a Small village-the only amenities around here are a sub-post office,and a Garage/Shop/Golf Course/restaurant complex.I don't eat out much,Don't play golf,and their fuel prices are about the highest in the area,so unless there's something I really need from the shop,I avoid it..mostly,I'll get my bike out if I have to get somewhere close I can avoid using the car for..there's not much in the way of pavement (sidewalk) for pedestrians,Hereabouts..not even outside the village limits,it's just You and the traffic..
Every evening bunches of power walkers take to the roads around Towns here! I live in a Small village-the only amenities around here are a sub-post office,and a Garage/Shop/Golf Course/restaurant complex.I don't eat out much,Don't play golf,and their fuel prices are about the highest in the area,so unless there's something I really need from the shop,I avoid it..mostly,I'll get my bike out if I have to get somewhere close I can avoid using the car for..there's not much in the way of pavement (sidewalk) for pedestrians,Hereabouts..not even outside the village limits,it's just You and the traffic..@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
25 Jun 08
I'm not a power walker! I've done it a few times, and can if I must, but mostly I enjoy a relaxing stroll, or I'm walking with a purpose at a decent pace, but not power walking.
I also worry about walking in traffic. I prefer sidewalks.
Good for you for biking more often than driving!
Thanks for responding.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Why aren't they walking? Its simple. Everything... houses, communities, schools, commerce areas... everything was designed for NOT walking. There is also the lifestyle of car, car, car and car. Even for short distances, its not walking, its car. Many people are too use to it. Either that, or they live in a place that depends on the car to get from home to point A, B, C... all of course being a non-walking distance from each other.
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
26 Jun 08
I love to walk but haven't gotten to lately.. We live in a neighborhood that is dangerous to be walking anywhere in.. We have a very quiet safe neighborhood, but the road near our house is like a raceway.. We have people cutting across from one end of town to the other and our road is the main way to cut across.. So, we can't walk anywhere near the road, without fearing for your life.. I used to walk a lot and hope maybe I can again someday..
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
26 Jun 08
That's too bad. Some in my neighborhood are like that. It's annoying and frustrating, but it's only a few.
@joyouskay (113)
•
27 Jun 08
I agree with the others who have said it's because people are lazy. Or maybe it's that we're spoiled. Or maybe it's just that we think everyone else will decide to walk thereby dropping the gas prices, so we don't need to contribute.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Some people are scared for their children to walk on their own, and most of them have to get to their work pretty soon anyway, so they drive.
If you ask me, if they got their kids to walk with other kids...like four or five others and walked to work themselves (I'd hope their work was in town) then they could save money...but they may not have thought of it.
We walk if things are walking distance in town. But this is a medium sized city and the routes you can walk someplace are different than the routes you can drive there. Because our city is stupid, yes, lol.
We're hoping to get bikes so walking isn't an "only sometimes" option.
@chitchat (179)
• United States
26 Jun 08
People don't walk b/c it takes to long to arrive at their destinations. People don't walk b/c they're impatient. People don't walk b/c they're used to driving everywhere. I walk if it's a nice day, but I mostly drive b/c where I live not too many places are within walking distance. My daughter goes to a school that is very close to our house, but when I pick her up I use my car. I always forget to walk b/c I'm just not used to it. I always tell myself, when it's a nice day out, walk to the school. But then I forget and I don't remember again until after I've already driven to the school. Walking is good though, I agree.
@sun2day (1062)
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)
26 Jun 08
We live in a society where most of the people are driving cars. Many of them just prefer to ride around in air conditions cars, but with gas prices esclating they may have to change that idea, and walk when feasible. Walking is very healhy, breathy the fresh air, having the lovely sunlight on the skin, it all wonderful. It is one of the keys to long life. I walk to the stores that are within walking distance.
When I have to go in town, I take public transport.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
26 Jun 08
Yes, I love walking, it's the best form of exercise and does wonder to my body. But I make sure not under the sun because I'm afraid of the ultraviolet rays and the damage it can do to my skin. But for as long as I am protected from the sun then walk would I go!!! With the high price of gas, I think we should all walk our way to our destination if it's walking distance if only to help out in this gas crisis.
@mscott (1923)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Despite all of the complaining people do about gas prices, food prices, energy prices and what have you, most people are just too lazy. It is kind of like voting, everyone complains about the government but less than half do the one thing they could do, vote.
@startstop123 (435)
• India
26 Jun 08
People think that its their Ignorance to walk to school and they may feel that they're treated in less priority among the friends if they walk to school instead of coming by car or some other vehicle which they own. People should come out of this Superiority complexity and should also know that its healthy to walk daily up to about more than 3 kilometers.
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
25 Jun 08
I walk instead of taking the car. With gas as High as it is I will walk before I drive. I walk to the store, bank, school, to pay bills, pool, park. My kids like to walk to. It is healthy and saves on the pocket book. I think people are to lazy to walk the two or three blocks to the store.