DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF WALKING

Save Time

Walking can be quicker than driving. Driving and parking from an office near the Transit Center to Bellevue Square Nordstrom takes about 25 minutes roundtrip. Walking takes only 15 minutes.

Reduce Pollution
Most pollution emitted from cars happens in the first few minutes after a cold-start. Reducing short car trips by walking instead of driving improves our air quality.

Improve your Health

Walking 20 extra minutes a day can burn off 7 pounds of body fat per year.
A 150-pound adult burns about 300 calories per hour of brisk walking.
On average, every minute of walking can extend your life by 1.5 to 2 minutes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend walking at a brisk pace for a total of at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week.

Save Money
People who are physically active have lower annual direct medical costs, fewer hospital stays and physician visits, use fewer medications, miss fewer days of work and are more productive at work.

Simple ways to increase your steps:

Walk with a buddy
Park farther away from the building
Have comfortable shoes at work and in your car
When walking, pick up the pace from leisurely to brisk
Brainstorm project ideas with a co-worker while taking a walk
Walk down the hall (or across the street) to speak with someone rather than using the telephone
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Get off the elevator a few floors early and take the stairs
Get off the bus a few blocks early and walk the rest of the way to work or home
Walk around your building for a break during the work day or during lunch
Walk before you drive

Explore Downtown Bellevue

There is a ½ mile walking path in Bellevue Downtown Park. Unwind with a brisk walk and a picnic.
There are 67 public art installations in Downtown Bellevue. Aim to find a new one every day!
There are more than 14 active apparel and sporting shoe stores located in Downtown Bellevue. They can help you attain your goal of 10,000 steps/day.
Since 1990, the residential population of Downtown Bellevue has grown 320%. Get out and meet new neighbors, colleagues and visitors.
The City of Bellevue’s system of parks and green pedestrian corridors located in the heart of downtown provides an enjoyable walking experience.

Why Walk?
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get fit – it’s free, fun, sociable and anyone can do it! Walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity, and is the simplest positive change individuals can make to effectively improve their heart health.

A Walkable Downtown
Walkability is the cornerstone to downtown Bellevue’s bright future of an efficient model of transportation. Every trip begins and ends with walking. Walking remains the cheapest form of transport for all people, and the construction of a walkable community provides the most affordable transportation system any community can plan, design, construct and maintain. Walkable communities put urban environments back on a scale for sustainability of resources (both natural and economic) and lead to more social interaction, physical fitness and diminished crime and other social problems. Walkable communities are more livable communities and lead to whole, happy, healthy lives for the people who live in them.