How far do you walk?

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I've been deeply shocked at some of the expectations on threads recently, that a child can't manage a couple of miles to school, etc, when in my day we all did it, without exception.

I do think that younger generations are incredibly out of the habit of walking, and missing out on so many benefits, social, physical health, mental health, enjoyment, being in touch with your environment, etc. Walking home together was a daily social event at my school, we walked around 3 miles home from primary, and maybe 3.5 miles from secondary.

My own children went to a school 4 miles away, and there was a bus, but they mostly preferred to walk, and are all fit, healthy young adults now who regularly do sport, as in team games a couple of times a week ( in their mid/late 20s)

I walked 7 miles to school during the pandemic, as our school didn't want staff on public transport, and we all had to sign to agree the policy to avoid public transport as far as was reasonable - this was not a problem, I enjoyed it

I have cancer now, and cant do as much, but still enjoy walking the 7 miles home at least once a week, instead of getting the bus - highly recommended by oncologist

A week or two ago at school I witnessed a school boy being challenged on his lateness, and he had a complete temper tantrum at the suggestion that he could walk to his train station while his usual bus was on diversion. It was less than a mile and a half, he was totally outraged at the suggestion.

AIBU to say that walking regularly is life enhancing, and the current generation are really missing out, and it is a habit that needs to be built up, and encouraged, rather than avoided?

I agree. I think aiming for 10,000 steps a day is a positive thing. Doesn’t need people saying it’s a made up figure as it doesn’t matter, it gets people moving. And I think walking becomes a habit you take into old age.

0.75 miles to primary school and 0.75 back to our home. Been doing it since reception. Not always enjoyable but since year 3, less moaning and crying.

2 miles to secondary school and 2 miles back to our home. No issues at all.

It's good for them and is a social experience too as we're bumping into other families and he older walks with friends.

I'm a walker. I enjoy walking to work and back. Gives me time to think. I'm lucky that it's only 1 mile each way though.
The school was 1.5 miles each way and we walked. Rain, snow, storms. My youngest started in the pram as a baby and finished at that school last year.
Unfortunately, their secondary is too far away so they use the bus but we're pretty active and have a dog so someone is usually out walking her.

We don't have a car so walk a lot, we think nothing of walking 3 to 4 miles to get to shops or the pub. We have much reduced trains due to engineering works this morning and Mr Monkey is about to walk the 6 miles in to work.

I love good walk everyday to clear my head.

I've recently moved and have had to start getting the bus to work. I'm shocked at how many kids and teens are getting the bus just one or two stops to school. This is in a quiet city suburb, it would be a short and quite nice walk but nope.

most people don’t have the time to walk miles daily.

I got the bus/train to school as a kid. Didn’t stop me loving sport.

I'm in Scotland where everyone under 22 gets a free bus pass. It's part of a green initiative to get youngsters used to using public transport and not rushing to get a car as soon as they're old enough to drive.

The down side is that kids who happily walked 30 minutes each way to High school every day are now jumping on the bus!

I walked to & from work during covid but it’s only 1.5m

I walk 15k steps min per day, I’m also in a walking club 3 times per week, Saturdays we tend to do 5-7 miles. A new lady came with me one week and I was shocked how unfit she was, hardly walked far atall before declaring she can’t walk any further

My walk to work takes about 15 minutes colleagues are astounded that I don't use my car. But then again they are the same people who move their car between sites - about a 3 minute walk.

I agree walking is great. It was a 20 minute walk to my Dad's primary and I remember being surprised once when a Social Worker thought it was too long to walk.

My teen used to walk 25min to college. My DD walks 10 min to train station and then 10 min the other end to school. That's nothing for them.

I do think at Primary many working parents need to drive as they are heading off to work after dropping their DC off.

My dad is 76 and is a sheep farmer. He has walked miles and miles every day of his adult life.

I am convinced it has been a factor in his generally very good health in to old age (his only health issue is mild angina which is all fine following a stent being fitted - and the inevitable hip replacement all famers who make it to old age seem to have)

As was explained on that thread.. its often the time that's the issue... most people don't have the time to spend several hours a day on school runs!

I often cover 6 or so miles a day but its spread out over the day.

I walked 7 miles to school during the pandemic, as our school didn't want staff on public transport, and we all had to sign to agree the policy to avoid public transport as far as was reasonable - this was not a problem, I enjoyed it

7 miles altogether, or each way?

A typical walking pace for an adult is 3-4mph, so that's two hours out of your day. I have a bicycle for that!

But those distances are nothing compared to what the OP is talking about. 20mins walk is about a mile at reasonable speed. OP is talking about 3 or 4 times that.

At least 90 mins per day with the dog plus whatever other walking I need to do without him.

I agree with your observation about shorter distances not being walked. I understand parents wanting to accompany their children to and from school, walking for anything under half an hour should be the norm, not the exception.

I walk my youngest to school each day 30mins there and run back. If I'm working I'll also do a 30 minute walk. On my day off I try and do a 90 minute walk on top of the school run.

If I'm going somewhere that's 40 mins or less I don't take the car I'll walk but I agree with people who have said you need to factor in extra time for walking.

7 miles each way - yes it took time, but I didn't actually mind

People are way too reliant on cars these days. I walk to and from work (3 miles each way) and feel better for it. DD walks 3 miles to her school. It's good for her!

It was the norm to walk more when I was growing up. I always walked to and from school which was 3 miles from home. Nowadays most parents wouldn't consider allowing that.

Although I agree with PP that time is a huge factor as life is so much busier for many. Anything above 3 miles, I'd use a bicycle to save time.

We have a dog so I easily get anything up to 14,000 steps a day in without really trying.

7 mile walk to work? No thanks - I don’t have 2-3 hours spare in my day to do that! That’s a weekend / holiday walk to me.

It is good to see so many people, particularly young people are still walking!

I enjoy walking and try to do 10,000 steps per day. During the pandemic we did a lot of 1 hr 30 to 2 hr round trip walks to parks with the kids and they are good walkers. Eldest walks 25 mins to and from secondary each day. Most of his friends prefer to get the bus for similar distances.

I agree. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and my family never had a car. That gave me the habit of walking everywhere. And I think that just programmed my body to expect a certain level of activity. And that has stood me in very good stead.

Unfortunately we now live semi rurally and there is nowhere really to walk to except the local shop. My kids do walk to school but that is very close to our house. I do worry about them growing up with the expectation of driving everywhere as a result. Although they are active in other ways.