Chapter One

Improved Health and Active Transport - Who Benefits?

As well as recreational benefits, the Way - particularly in the urbanised lower reaches of the Georges River - has the potential to contribute widely to facilitating 'active transport' - i.e transport that involves incidental physical activity, such as walking, cycling and traveling by public transport - and its known links to improved health.

Research in Perth (WA) has shown that problems such as obesity are associated with poor access to footpaths and recreational facilities, and perceiving that no shop is within walking distance. Also, the current consensus of among health professionals is that, to protect health, every adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate-intense, endurance -type physical activity - such as walking or cycling - on most days of the week.

The Way can act as a focus for programs such as: walking for pleasure (NSW Sport and Recreation); and healthy walks (South East Sydney Area Health Service), which promote active transport as a sustainable positive lifestyle habit.