Walking Around Campus
UNCG is a beautiful, pedestrian friendly campus. Well lighted sidewalks and walking paths are abundant throughout our 200 acre campus. Easily get from one side of campus to another in 15 minutes or less. And for the benefit of students and faculty, most classroom buildings are within 10 minutes walking distance of one another. If you live within 2 miles of campus, please bike or walk instead of driving a car. Your commute time to/from campus should be 30 minutes or less and will help to improve your health and save you money. Click through the sections below to learn more about walking around our beautiful campus!
Benefits of Walking
- ❖ Economic
Walking is an affordable form of transportation. Car ownership is expensive parking on campus can be challenging. The more you walk, the less you spend on transportation, meaning you have more money to save or spend on other things. - ❖ Environmental
Walking reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. Walking requires less physical space than parking a car, and requires less energy than moving a car. - ❖ Health
As little as 30 minutes of brisk walking a day is enough to improve your energy level and mood, aid with weight loss, and reduce your risk for a host of chronic diseases. Physical activity need not be strenuous; even leisurely walking makes a difference. - ❖ Quality of Life
Walking increases opportunities for social interaction with classmates and colleagues. It also contributes to a sense of friendliness and safety on campus.
Easy Ways to Walk More
The following are some easy ways you can add more steps into your daily routine:
- ❖ Ask a friend to be your walking buddy.
- ❖ Begin by stretching to maintain your range of motion as well as muscle and joint health.
- ❖ Form a walking group with a regular schedule.
- ❖ If you live within 2 miles of campus, walk daily instead of driving a car.
- ❖ Keep a daily activity log and track the time spent walking or exercising.
- ❖ Park further away.
- ❖ Start slowly by walking 10 minutes a day and build up to 30 minutes or more.
- ❖ Take a walk after dinner with a family member, friend, and/or pet.
- ❖ Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- ❖ Walk between classes and meetings.
- ❖ Wear a pedometer and track your mileage.
Employees are encouraged to participate in the Spartan Steps program coordinated by UNCG Human Resource Services. For more information about employee health initiatives, please visit the HealthyUNCG website.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Take the Time to Cross Safely. It Could Save Your Life… or Change it Forever!
- ❖ Always walk on a sidewalk when possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
- ❖ Be visible! Wear bright, light color clothing, use reflectors and/or flashers (blinking lights), and carry a flashlight when walking at night or during inclement weather.
- ❖ Cross the street only at marked crosswalks and intersections. By law, if you are within 50 feet of a crosswalk (about 10 sidewalk squares) then you must use the crosswalk.
- ❖ Do not attempt to cross at any place other than a marked crosswalk. In North Carolina, pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks but must yield to motorists when crossing at other places.
- ❖ Do not step out in front of a vehicle with the assumption the driver will stop. Make eye contact with the driver; if you see a cell phone, the driver may not be paying attention.
- ❖ Do not step out into the street from behind an obstruction because vehicles may be approaching beyond your line of sight. Stand clear of buses, fences, hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles. Make sure motorists can see you and you have the right of way before attempting to cross.
- ❖ Do not use a cell phone or a headset while crossing a street.
- ❖ If you’re on a busy sidewalk, slower walkers should keep to the right. Faster walkers should pass others by walking around them to the left.
- ❖ Never cross in front of a bus unless it is stopped at a traffic signal and you have the right of way to cross.
- ❖ Obey traffic signals such as “Walk” and “Don’t Walk”. However, do not rely solely on the signal. Always look both ways before crossing.
- ❖ Watch for moving/turning vehicles, especially vehicles turning right on red. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing. Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Just because one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you. Also be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars in parking lots and in on-street parking spaces.
For more information about pedestrian safety, visit the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation site.
Overcoming Barriers
If walking isn’t part of your daily routine, some barriers can be overcome...
- ❖ I don’t have time to walk.
If you are in the habit of driving across campus to move your car between classes or meetings, you are likely wasting more time than if you simply walked, especially during class changes when campus streets are most congested. Most people can easy get from one end of campus to another in 15 minutes or less and most classroom buildings are within a 10 minute walk of one another. - ❖ I haven’t exercised regularly since elementary school.
If you are living a sedentary lifestyle, you are putting your health in danger and your life at risk. However, walking is an easy way to add physical activity to your daily routine. No special training or equipment is needed. Walking leisurely between classes or meetings will help. Briskly walking at least 30 minutes a day is recommended to improve cardio-respiratory fitness and blood pressure. - ❖ Walking is boring.
Have fun by being social and walking with friends.
• Multitask by listening to music or an audio book (with the volume low enough to hear and be aware of your surroundings) or run errands while you are out. Plan a special walk in a nearby park or at a charity walking event. Vary your routine by walking at different times of day, walking to different destinations, or trying new routes and trails. - ❖ Walking is dangerous.
Walk on a track. The Irwin Belk Recreation Track is located near the softball stadium. Walk indoors. The Student Rec Center has an indoor track. Or walk laps in any building and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk with a group; there is safety in numbers. - ❖ Walking is painful.
If you are out of shape or recovering from an injury or illness, walking might hurt a little at first. Unless your doctor advises you to wait, start by walking ten minutes a day and build up slowly as you are able. Also, be sure to wear comfortable athletic shoes with good arch support. - ❖ The weather is too hot/cold/rainy.
In hot weather change into a comfortable t-shirt and shorts before walking. Keep deodorant and a fresh change of clothes handy in case you need them. Walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon; avoid mid day walks. In cold weather dress in layers so you can put on or take off clothing as needed for comfort. Walk during lunch or afternoon. In rainy weather wear rain gear (rain jacket with waterproof shoes/boots) and carry an umbrella. Walk indoors during storms.
Questions?
Please call (336) 334-5681 or email walk@uncg.edu for assistance. To request a safety escort please call UNCG Public Safety & Police, (336) 334-5963.
