In this edition of U talk our guest answering your questions is from the European Cyclists’ Federation.
“Hi, my name is Dora Pinto and here’s my question: we live in an increasingly sedentary society where people eat too many calories. I would like to know if, and how, we can change this.”
Randy Rzewnicki, Project Manager, European Cyclists’ Federation: “What can we do? Number one, the main thing has to be: use your car less — much less. Why? That means you will be walking, biking or using public transport. And this will be healthier because, as most people know (I hope everybody knows it) walking, cycling, moving every day, this is what we need to be doing.
“That was what people were doing 50 or 100 years ago. It was a normal part of their lifestyle, and now we are sitting for everything we need to do. So we need to eat less and move more during the day, all through the day.
“Walk, walk, walk, climb the stairs, walk to talk to your work mates instead of calling them or sending an email. All of these little things together can make a big difference. But really the biggest difference is to use your car less.”
“I am happy to say that a proposal was put before the European Parliament last month that there would be a 30 kilometre-per-hour speed limit in all residential areas across Europe. If this happens this will be a big step forward, because the feeling of not being safe comes from cars trucks and buses and so on travelling at a speed that doesn’t feel safe.
“The other thing to point out is actually that cycling is a very safe activity, and walking too. These things are very safe to do, and it is only a perception that they are not. The statistics are actually very reassuring — so the question is really what to do about the perception.”