1 in 4 young people walk away from credit crunch
It’s official: Young people are ditching expensive transport and gym membership habits, and using their feet to beat the recession according to a poll commissioned by the Ramblers this week, ahead of National Get Walking Day (Saturday).
A significant 1 in 4 young people, picked from a random selection of adults, reported that they had saved money on transport and/or travel costs by walking during the recession. The survey was commissioned to celebrate the National Get Walking Day festival, where thousands of walkers – all ages and stages – will turn out for hundreds of free, carnival-spirited short walks taking place all over the country this weekend.
The result is backed by the Ramblers own membership figures, that have seen a 15% increase in young people joining the Ramblers between 2007 and the start of the recession in 2008. The runaway growth of Ramblers young people’s groups – their fastest growing source of membership – also reflect the rise of walking as the under 40’s credit busting activity of choice.
Tom Franklin, CEO of the Ramblers comments: “It’s no surprise that people are taking to their feet during the recession. Walking is one of the cheapest, most enjoyable and flexible activities around. Walking keeps you fit, and unlike the gym, it’s free and you don’t need specialist equipment to do it. People are also discovering that it is also the cheapest and most sustainable way to travel short distances too.
“Entertain yourselves and your families for FREE this weekend, by joining one of our short, free, fun festival walks to celebrate Get Walking Day.”
Now in its second year, national Get Walking Day, aims to help people discover the joy of walking and promotes the huge mental, physical and mood-boosting benefits that walking can bring. The walks take place throughout England Scotland and Wales, each walk is under 5 miles and many include special events and refreshments. To find a Get Walking Day walk near you visit http://www.ramblers.org.uk/campaigns/GWD . The walks take place over the weekend 30th May and 1st of June.
Get Walking Day will launch in London with a ‘Cake Walk’ in Tower Hill, where hundreds of walkers will help cut the ribbon on the festival with and outsize cake and a walk to Greenwich.
For more information call the Ramblers press office 0207 339 8531/32 or 07801 749 385 ( out of hours), press@ramblers.org.uk, http://www.ramblers.org.uk/
Notes to editors:
1) ICM interviewed a random sample of 1006 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 22nd to 25th May 2009. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
When asked the question: “Have you at any point during the recession, walked to save money on gym/fitness or travel costs?” 26 % of 18-24 year olds and 28% of 25-34 year olds responded ‘yes’ to gym or travel or both.
2) The Ramblers is at the heart of walking in Britain. It is Britain’s walking charity. It works to make it easy for everyone to walk, whether in countryside, cities, hills, coasts and on or off the beaten track.
It is a grass roots network of over 12,000 volunteers who work tirelessly for a walking Britain. For 74 years it has helped build and protect Britain’s 150,000 mile long path network, it runs over 28,000 walks a year, and campaigns for better walking routes and more walking opportunities
