University Students: Walking More, But Why?

University students are at a particular risk of physical and psychological complaints due to a lack of physical activity. This is partly because students walk a lot, especially in large campuses, and this can be a shock to new students. Students may have to walk for up to 30 minutes to get to class, and this can add up to over two-and-a-half days of walking per year.

However, walking has been linked to various health benefits, so universities could implement measures to encourage students to walk more. For example, a German study found that students who cycled to university were influenced by the presence of bicycle racks and routes, and felt safer with lower crime rates.

Students walk or cycle to improve their health and fitness

Walking and cycling are great ways for students to improve their health and fitness. Both are aerobic exercises that can improve cardiovascular fitness, increase muscle strength and flexibility, improve joint mobility, decrease stress levels, and improve posture and coordination. They are also good ways to control or reduce weight, as they increase metabolic rate, build muscle, and burn body fat.

Walking and cycling are also good ways to fit exercise into a busy student schedule. They can be done outdoors or indoors, and can easily be incorporated into a daily routine by walking or cycling to classes, the shops, or work. Walking, in particular, can be done almost anywhere, even inside your home or at the mall.

Additionally, walking and cycling are low-impact exercises, meaning they cause less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise. They are also fun and can be done at very low intensity, making them accessible to most students, regardless of age or fitness level.

However, it is important to note that walking and cycling may not be suitable for everyone. For example, walking can put more pressure on the joints than cycling, especially if done on hard or uneven surfaces. Cycling, on the other hand, can lead to overuse injuries due to repeated motions. It is also more expensive and less accessible than walking as it requires a bicycle and a safe place to ride.

Overall, walking and cycling are excellent forms of exercise that can provide numerous health benefits for students. By incorporating these activities into their daily routines, students can improve their health and fitness while also enjoying the benefits of increased physical activity.

Students walk or cycle to save money

Students are at a higher risk of suffering from physical and psychological complaints, and many do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity. Walking or cycling to university is a great way to fit in some exercise and save money on transport costs.

Walking or cycling to university can save you money

Walking or cycling to university is a great way to save money on transport costs. If you live close enough to walk or cycle to university, you can save money on bus or train fares, as well as the cost of fuel and parking if you drive.

Save money with the Cycle to Work scheme

If you have a job, even a part-time one, you may be able to buy a bicycle through the government's Cycle to Work scheme. This lets you pay less for a brand-new bike and accessories. You can save between 21% and 39% on the cost of a bike and accessories, depending on how much they cost and the tax rate you pay. The payment comes straight out of your salary each month, so you won't even notice it.

Save money by buying second-hand

If you're looking to save money, consider buying a second-hand bike. Check out Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and eBay for second-hand bikes. You could also ask around to see if any friends or family members are looking to sell an old bike.

Save money by buying in the sales

If you'd prefer to buy a new bike from a shop, keep an eye out for sales and special offers. Shops like Halfords, Decathlon, and Evans Cycles often have sales and discounts.

Save money by repairing your bike yourself

Instead of paying for repairs, consider fixing your bike yourself. You can learn how to do basic repairs like pumping up your tires and tightening your brakes by watching YouTube tutorials.

Save money by buying cheap bike accessories

You can save money on bike accessories by shopping at Lidl, Aldi, and Decathlon. Lidl and Aldi sometimes sell bike accessories like phone holders, but their stock changes regularly. Decathlon always has a good selection of cheap cycling accessories.

Save money by fitting mudguards to your bike

Fitting mudguards to your bike will protect your clothing, bag, and other accessories from mud and damage. This will save you money in the long run, as you won't need to replace them. You can buy cheap mudguards from Decathlon.

Save money by getting a free bike safety check at Halfords

Halfords offers free bike safety checks. They'll tell you what parts need fixing, but there's no obligation to get the repairs done there. You can take your bike to another shop or do the repairs yourself if it works out cheaper.

Save money by investing in a good bike lock

It's worth investing in a good quality bike lock to reduce the risk of your bike being stolen. A U-Lock with a cable will set you back £15-£35, but it's a lot cheaper than buying a new bike if yours gets stolen.

Save money by hiring a bike for short-term use

If you don't use your bike that often, consider hiring one instead of buying. Bike hire schemes like Santander and Uber let you borrow a bike for a small fee.

Save money by becoming a dog walker

If you're a dog person, becoming a dog walker is a great way to make some extra cash. You can sign up to sites like Care Pets to find dog walking jobs in your area.

Save money by becoming a human billboard

If you don't mind standing around dressed as a hotdog, you can make some easy money by becoming a human billboard. It's not the most glamorous work, but it's easy and usually pays at least minimum wage.

Save money by becoming a tour guide

If you live somewhere with lots of landmarks or beauty spots, you could become a tour guide. You can charge what you like and work on your own schedule. Once you've built up some experience, you can make extra money by converting your routes into audio or printable guides to sell online.

Save money by writing a walking book

If you've sourced some great walking routes, consider writing a walking book. You can publish it yourself as an eBook or in print, or pitch it to an agent.

Save money by getting paid to hand out leaflets

You can get paid to hand out leaflets. Try Gumtree for local leads, or ask managers in nearby stores if they need any leaflet distributors.

Students walk or cycle to avoid the stress of finding a parking space

Students at universities are at a particular risk of suffering from physical and psychological complaints and not fulfilling health-oriented physical activity recommendations. Active transportation, such as walking or cycling, has been identified as a relevant domain of physical activity that can help students gain various health benefits. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the determinants of physical activity in university students, which is necessary to guide evidence-based physical activity promotion in university settings.

A study conducted by Monika Teuber and Gorden Sudeck from the University of Tübingen in Germany aimed to address this gap by investigating the conditions in the study environment, as well as personal motivators and barriers, that influence the active transportation of university students. The study used a cross-sectional convenience sample of 997 students from the University of Tübingen and applied factor analyses to examine the associations between self-reports on physical activity for transport-related walking and cycling.

The results of the study revealed that transport-related cycling was associated with certain determinants from both the study environment and individual conditions. These included:

• Resident in the university town
• High automobile traffic
• Bicycle-related crime
• Personal benefits, such as joy and health
• Personal barriers, such as physical or time effort
• External barriers, such as weather conditions

On the other hand, the study found no relevant predictors associated with the amount of transport-related walking. Neither the sex, age, or place of living of the students, nor the study environment or personal motivators and barriers, were substantially linked with transport-related walking.

Based on these findings, the study concluded that possible strategies to encourage active transportation among university students could include the implementation of safe bicycle racks and routes, as well as the development of academic training programs that highlight the benefits of transport-related cycling for health, environment, and sports. Additionally, providing more student residences in the town and improving the infrastructure for walking and cycling can also help promote physical activity among students.

Students walk or cycle to reduce air pollution

Students walk or cycle for various reasons, and one of them is to reduce air pollution.

Students walk a lot, often more than the average adult. For example, a student who wrote for Forbes in 2016 clocked his time spent walking between classes throughout his day, and he hit 31 hours and 15 minutes in just one semester. Another student with a pedometer took 54,363 steps in one workweek compared to the average adult in the United States, who takes 30,000 steps in the same amount of time.

Walking and cycling can help reduce physical inactivity and air pollution, save lives, and mitigate climate change. According to a new WHO publication, investments in policies that promote safe cycling and walking can play a crucial role in shaping health, mitigating climate change, and improving the environment. Walking and cycling can help fight overweight and reduce physical inactivity, which causes one million deaths per year in the European Region. Both means of active transport can also help to reduce air pollution, which claims more than half a million deaths every year.

However, active travel may increase the intake of air pollution, leading to negative health consequences. In areas with high levels of air pollution, the benefits of physical activity may be outweighed by the harmful effects of air pollution. Nevertheless, in most urban environments, the benefits of physical activity outweigh the risks of air pollution. If cycling replaces driving, the trade-off would be even more beneficial.

To promote active transportation among students, universities can implement safe bicycle racks, bicycle routes, or more student residences in town. Additionally, academic training programs that indicate the benefits of transport-related cycling may help students understand the associations between cycling and health, the environment, sports, and recreation.

Students walk or cycle because they feel unsafe using other modes of transport

Students may feel unsafe using other modes of transport due to various factors. One of the most common factors is the perception of heavy traffic and the associated dangers of sharing the road with automobiles. This perception of danger is particularly heightened for cyclists, who are more vulnerable road users. In addition, the availability of convenient routes for walking and cycling can influence students' sense of safety. For instance, the presence of sidewalks, cycling lanes, and well-maintained infrastructure can make students feel safer when walking or cycling.

Another factor that contributes to students' sense of safety is their level of experience and confidence in navigating busy roads and heavy traffic. Experienced cyclists may feel more confident in dealing with traffic and may have developed strategies to cope with challenging conditions. On the other hand, students who are less experienced or confident may opt for other modes of transport that they perceive as safer.

Furthermore, individual factors, such as childcare arrangements, cost of petrol or parking, and personal preferences for active commuting can also play a role in students' mode of transport choices. Some students may choose to walk or cycle despite unsupportive conditions due to these individual factors.

Lastly, it is important to consider the role of public opinion and political statements. Some students may report unsupportive conditions not based on their personal perceptions but rather to reflect the perceptions of others or to make a statement about the need for improvements in infrastructure and safety for active commuters.

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