All around walking Aims of this trainer guide 2 The benefits of walking 2 Basic traffic rules for pedestrians 4 Relevant street and road signs 4 Important pedestrian crossings 6 Road crossing behaviour 8 Crossing between parked cars 9 Crossing patrol officers 9 Basic safety rules for walking 10 General safety tips 10 Being seen and staying safe Walking in urban areas 11 Walking in rural areas 11 What to do in case of emergency? 12 Walking with vulnerable individuals 13 Infants 13 Young children 13 A note about older children 14 Walking for older people 14 Walking with disabled people 15 How to organise walking activities? 16 General tips for planning a journey by foot 16 Basic preparations 16 Insurance and liability 17 Declaration of agreement 17 Trainer-trainee-ratio 17 The right equipment for trainers 18 Summary 18 Annex 19 Declaration of agreement 19 TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
2 Aims of this trainer guide This guide provides teachers of integration courses, language teachers, trainers and multipliers with the basic facts and information about safe walking and wants to create even more interest in the topic of walking. The guide provides information on how to teach pedestrian skills to a group or individuals who are not familiar with traffic and pedestrian rules of your country. The guide also includes information on organising walking activities. Some of the given information is not must-read right now document, but should be understood as a useful reference for any questions from the trainees. Furthermore, all parts of this guide with regards to content can be presented as handouts for the trainees, if needed. The benefits of walking (( Walking is good for the environment and great for your health. (( What s more, it is fun and it is free! Walking is easy, convenient and the body s most natural means of transportation. Nearly anyone can do it, at any time and any place. It is the ideal mode of transport, particularly for short journeys under 2 3 km, and additionally short cuts and green space in your living area can be used to make your journey quicker and more enjoyable. Walking is free Walking doesn t cost anything. When walking, you will need to make practical clothing choices. However, most people will own a pair of trainers/sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes as well as a coat, scarf and gloves in winter times which means you will not have to pay out for anything new. Walking is healthy The importance of exercise for your health is a message which many of us have already heard. By walking or cycling, you are increasing or contributing to your daily physical activity. Walking is a much gentler form of exercise and is not just great for your body, but also your mind. Power walking on the other hand will raise your heart rate and give you an aerobic workout. Even going for a walk at lunchtime can relieve any work related stress built up in the morning. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
3 There are a variety of proven health benefits from walking, including: It helps to keep you fit and control your weight. It can lower your blood pressure. It can reduce the risks of various cancers. It can lower your cholesterol. It helps keep you flexible. Walking improves the mood and reduces stress. (( Did you know? Walking a mile at a brisk pace burns the same calories as running a mile or swimming 15 lengths in a 25 metre pool! How much walking is needed to stay healthy? Two and a half hours of walking at medium intensity per week is enough to keep you in form. That s just 30 minutes a day five days a week. 1 Walking for just 30 minutes a day (5 days a week) can make a massive difference to your health. And you don t need to walk the 30 minutes all at once, it can be broken down to 3 or 4 shorter walks if you like. One example could be to walk the school run instead of driving, you might find that it gets you there even quicker! Another option could be to get off the train or bus a stop earlier, allowing you to walk the final stretch to your destination. Walking is environmentally friendly Walking does not have a negative impact on the environment, unlike motor vehicles which release harmful emissions. Reducing the amount of short car journeys (under 2 km) is essential to reducing pollution, as these short journeys cause the highest emission levels due to the engine not being warmed up, thus working inefficiently. These journeys can be easily replaced by walking as this is an ideal distance for this transport mode. Many people would like to do their bit in helping the environment, particularly at a time when global warming and climate change are hot topics. By adopting carbon free transport modes, you are doing your bit and supporting the preservation of our planet. Remember, The only fuel you need to walk is food and drink! 1 At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health. Source: Department of Health (2004) A report from the Chief Medical Officer. London. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
4 Walking is sociable Walking is a great social activity and a good way to bond communities. It is a unique activity that anyone can do, regardless of status. It gives you the opportunity to catch up with friends, family and colleagues and to meet or get to know other people by chance. Many communities have small interest groups who organise walks in the local area. These can be taken advantage of as a fun activity and they allow you to meet others living in your area. What s more, many of these walks are free. Walking improves the local economy Another benefit to the community is that the more people that walk in the local area, the more likely they are to shop within their community, thus improving the economy of the area and allowing it to flourish. One of the biggest barriers preventing walking in towns and cities, particularly at night, is fear. The more people that start walking, the safer others will feel and in turn will start walking themselves. Basic traffic rules for pedestrians Relevant street and road signs There are a number of street and road signs which come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Each sign has its own meaning and can either give an order, information or warning. It is important to understand what the signs mean, as many will help to make your journey more pleasant. Below you will find a list of common shapes of signs which you will find in the UK: A Circle Sign A Rectangular Sign A Triangle Sign Circle Sign A circle sign gives orders. A red circle will mean a restriction and a blue circle will be a positive instruction. Rectangular Sign A rectangular sign gives information. Some also give orders if they have a coloured border. Different colours will be seen depending on the information they give. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
5 Triangle Sign A triangle sign gives a warning and is usually always red in colour. Overview of common street and road signs Below you will find the explanation for some common street and road signs which are useful for pedestrians in the UK: 1 School crossing patrol ahead (some signs have amber lights which flash when crossings are in use) Pedestrians in road ahead Frail (or blind or disabled if shown) pedestrians likely to cross road ahead Segregated pedal cycle and pedestrian route Home Zone Entry Pedestrian crossing point over tramway Tourist information point Route for pedestrians Direction to toilets with access for the disabled Route for pedal cy- Route to be used by Recommended route No cycling cles forming part of a pedal cycles only for pedal cycles network 1 Signs and markings. Source: www.direct.gov.uk TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
6 Important pedestrian crossings Below you can find a list of common crossings which you will find in the UK: A Zebra Crossing A Pelican Crossing A Puffin Crossing A Toucan Crossing A Pegasus Crossing Staggered Crossings An Underpass An Overpass Island crossings The following information describes how each crossing is used and what it looks like: Zebra Crossing Zebra crossings are marked by white painted stripes across the road and flashing amber beacons. Although motorists must give way, for safety, pedestrians should remain on the kerbside until approaching vehicles have stopped. Pelican Crossing Pelican crossings have red, amber and green signals facing drivers, and red man/green man signals on the opposite side of the road to the pedestrians waiting to cross. A pedestrian has to push a button to operate these. When the red man is lit pedestrians should not cross. The green man will then light for pedestrians and they should, having checked that it is safe to do so, cross the road. When the light begins to flash pedestrians should not start to cross although there is still enough time for those on the crossing to finish their journey safely. At all Pelican crossings (apart from Staggered crossings) there is a bleeping sound to indicate to the visibility impaired when the green man is lit. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
7 Puffin Crossing Puffin crossings do not have a flashing green man/flashing amber signal. To operate the crossing, you must push the button on the kerbside unit. The crossing time is established by on-crossing pedestrian detectors. There are pedestrian detectors fitted which can cancel demands that are no longer required (when a person crosses before the green man lights). Toucan Crossing Toucan crossings are designed for both pedestrians and cyclists and are typically used adjacent to a cycle-path (cyclists are not allowed to cross the road using Zebra, Pelican or Puffin crossings). There is a green cycle symbol alongside the green man. At the latest Toucan crossings the crossing time is established each time by on-crossing detectors in the same way as Puffin crossings. Pegasus Crossing Pegasus (also known as Equestrian) crossings are similar to Toucan crossings but have a red/green horse symbol and higher mounted push buttons to allow horse riders to cross. This type of crossing is only used where many crossing movements are made across a busy main road. Staggered Crossings Staggered crossings can be Pelican, Puffin and Toucan crossings. When the crossings on each side of a central island are not in line they are two separate crossings. Pedestrians should cross the road in two stages by pressing the push buttons for each crossing and waiting for the green man to light at each separate crossing. There is no bleeper at staggered traffic signal crossings to avoid confusing people. There may be a tactile signal to help deaf and blind people in this instance. Underpass An underpass (also known as a subway) is a walkway which passes under a main road or large intersection. Some underpasses also have cycle lanes. Most are well lit and are covered by video control for pedestrian safety. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
8 Overpass An overpass (also known as a footbridge) is a walkway which passes above a main road or large intersection. Most overpasses do not have cycle lanes but do have ramps. Island Crossings An Island crossing (also known as a pedestrian refuge) is much like a staggered crossing, only this type of crossing is not limited to light controlled crossings. As long as there is an island in between lanes, you may cross and wait at the island until it is safe to cross the second part of the road. Road crossing behaviour Before crossing any road, ensure trainees understand the right road crossing behaviour. In the UK it is called The Green Cross Code and it means to stop, look both ways and listen before crossing any roads. Once you are sure it is safe to cross the road, you may do so with caution. Even when crossing at a pedestrian crossing, trainees must still observe this rule so as to avoid any accidents. Make sure you teach the rule to any young children and vulnerable adults to ensure their safety when they travel. With young people, you should remind them that their height is also something to consider as drivers cannot always see them. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
9 Crossing between parked cars If possible, avoid crossing between parked vehicles, but if there is no other chance to cross, ensure you: Choose a place where there is a space between two cars and make sure that it is easy to get to the pavement on the other side of the road. Make sure neither a car is about to move off look for drivers in the cars, lights and listen for engines. Don t cross near large vehicles. You could be standing in a blind spot, where the driver cannot see you. Walk to the outside edge of the parked cars and stop. Here you can be seen by drivers and you can look all around for traffic. Use the Green Cross Code. When the road is clear, cross, still looking and listening as you go. Crossing patrol officers A crossing patrol officer is also known as a lollipop man/woman. Often the crossing patrol officer is seen near to schools where people often cross a road during school peak times. You should always listen to the crossing patrol officer as he/she will let you know when it is safe to cross, even if you are not going to the school. All crossing patrol officers carry a signpost with them which says STOP and a picture of children walking. They also wear reflective clothing so that they can be seen at all times of the day by motorists and other road users. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
10 Basic safety rules for walking General safety tips It is still a good idea to be cautious when making journeys by foot alone. The following tips can help make you a whole lot safer on the street: Help other road users to see you. When it is dark, use reflective materials if possible (e. g. armbands, sashes, waistcoats, jackets, footwear) which can be seen by drivers using headlights up to three times as far away as non-reflective materials. Never assume that a car driver has seen you, even if you can see them. When there is no pavement keep to the side of the road of oncoming traffic, this will allow drivers to see you more clearly, and give you more time to move if need be. Wherever possible, plan ahead and consider the following: Will you be carrying heavy items at any time during the course of the day? Is there any bad weather forecasted for the day or at any times you will be travelling? Do you have enough money with you in order to use public transport or call for a taxi? It is important to familiarise trainees with the traffic and safety rules in their (new) home country. These rules are in place for their safety and should be adhered to whenever possible. Please note that there are likely to be differences between the rules in the country of origin and the (new) home country. The following information contains guidelines and rules that are recommended when walking in urban and rural areas. If you are interested in more detailed information, there is often existing relevant highway and/ or countryside codes for walking in various countries and some of them are available in different languages, too. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
11 Being seen and staying safe Walking in urban areas Below you will find some guidelines for pedestrians to stay safe when walking alone, especially in urban areas: Do wear bright clothing or reflective gear when walking at night or in poor daylight conditions. Avoid wearing black as it is hard for motorists to see you when crossing roads, especially at night. Keep valuables like expensive jewellery and mobile phones/music players safe and hidden, especially when away from crowds or at night to avoid attracting muggers. When in crowds, keep your bags closed and make sure there is nothing valuable visible or sticking out of your pockets so as to avoid pick-pockets. NEVER walk along a motorway or dual carriageway unless there is a pavement for pedestrians. Walking in rural areas The following key points describe guidelines, when walking outside of urban areas: Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs Keep track of weather, tides, breeding seasons, harvesting or building works that might have an impact on your safety and the safety of others. Leave gates and property as you find them Usually field gates are closed to keep animals in. But sometimes farmers leave them open to allow livestock access to water and feed. Protect plants and animals by taking all litter home And it s not just litter; don t pick plants, move rocks or fallen trees or disturb nests. All of them can be animal habitats or may shelter important wild plants. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
12 What to do in case of emergency? Helpful tips If you ever find yourself lost or in need of help, remember there is always someone who can assist you. If you are lost If you are lost, you can always ask others in the street for help and assistance. Most people will be able to help you find your way again. Alternatively, you can walk into the nearest shop and ask for directions. Petrol stations are usually a good place to ask for directions. Even if the staff cannot help you, petrol stations tend to stock maps of the local area in the shop. You can always pick up a map and try to get back on track. If you need to make a call, you can ask for directions to a local telephone box or ask in a shop. In most cases, shop keepers will not turn down your request to make a phone call. If you have money on you, do offer to pay them back for the call. If you are in need of emergency services If you are in need of emergency services and are unable to call them yourself, ask others in the street to call the proper emergency number and ask for the police, ambulance or both remember to be specific. If there is no one around ask in a shop. All crimes are serious; however, if you have been mugged or you have had personal belongings stolen, you should find out where the local police station is and report the crime there or telephone them from your mobile, payphone or a safe place. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
13 Walking with vulnerable individuals A vulnerable individual is someone who needs assistance when travelling alone. This could be a child, an elderly person or a disabled person (mentally or physically). These individuals will need extra attention when you walk. Some disabled individuals are very independent and capable of travelling alone providing they have had travel training. Infants When walking with infants and young children ensure to pay attention on the following points: Ensure strollers are in good condition. Check the wheels and brakes before any journey. Never let go of the stroller. They are prone to rolling away and can quickly move out of reach. Keep babies and toddlers in their prams and strapped in securely. Keep strollers back at intersections, cars can get very close to the pavement and strollers can edge onto the road in some instances. Avoid carrying your child, you need to be able to move quickly when with young children. You can use a wrap around in order to keep your hands free when carrying young children. Young children Much of the information provided below will depend on the age of a child and their level of maturity. Young children are not always fully aware of their surroundings and can become distracted easily. The following tips can be given to your trainees: Hold hands with any children you walk with, especially if they are very young to stop them running into a road. Hold hands when crossing any roads, this is safer and encourages children to pay attention. Teach children the rules of the road, and make sure they follow them on every journey. Find a fun way of educating young children so that you have their attention. Find games to play and ask them what they should do before crossing roads, etc. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
14 When walking with children, do not let them walk beside or on the kerb next to a road. Make sure you keep them in the inside of the pavement so that you are standing in-between the road and the child. A note about older children Most young people tend to have a relatively reasonable awareness of their surroundings when walking. However, they are still easily distracted by a number of things such as their friends, listening to music or when playing on their mobile phone. In addition, they also can make poor judgements of vehicle speeds. Most teenagers are used to travelling on their own, particularly if they walk to school. With teenagers, it is a key element to discuss the dangers of not paying attention to the road. Teenagers who listen to music when walking should be encouraged to be extra vigilant when crossing as they will not be able to hear any approaching vehicles. Walking for older people Older people are the fastest growing age group, unfortunately they are also involved in a disproportionately high amount of accidents. Walking is a popular pastime amongst the older generations, but different challenges often face when navigating through the streets. In general terms, there is a decline in motor functions, leading to slower movements or reactions, reduced muscle strength and decreased co-ordination. This can be coupled with deteriorating eyesight and hearing. Some simple steps can help make walking safer and more pleasant. Young adults can also benefit from many of these tips: A good idea is to plan the day to avoid rush hour traffic. This helps to avoid busy traffic and the streets should be easier to move along and less stressful. Accidents tend to occur when people are in a hurry. Allow extra time for journeys, when people are rushing they don t pay as much attention as they should. If persons normally wear glasses or a hearing aid, ask them to do so whenever they are out walking. Also encourage them to have regular vision and hearing check-ups. Encourage older people to use zebra and pedestrian crossings wherever possible. Many accidents involving pedestrians occur at points near safe crossings. 1 Unnecessary risks should be avoided where possible. Let older people know that they shouldn t be afraid to ask people for help, be it for directions or help crossing the road. 1 Investigation of Pedestrian Accidents Analysis at signalised pedestrian crossings in Edinburgh. Source: Alnaqbi, Khalfan/Saleh, Wafaa (2006) TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
15 Walking with disabled people When walking with disabled people, some of the tips above will still apply. Many disabled people are very capable and are able to travel independently without assistance. For others, you will need to be aware that they may or may not have certain skills which are necessary for travelling in their environment. Some may not be able to tell the time, count money or might not like being around other people which can make walking in any environment difficult. These people may need additional training which will help their personal skills or that is specific to their disability. The following points to consider when travelling with a disabled person are: There are some crossings which are helpful for visually impaired individuals. Crossings should be used whenever possible. Try to avoid crossing between parked cars and ideally wait until a crossing has been reached. For those who don t like being around loud noises and crowded environments, a quiet route can be planned through residential streets to avoid busy high streets. This will improve their experience. For long walks, take breaks so as not to tire you out. Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Especially during summer when the weather is warmer. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
16 How to organise walking activities? General tips for planning a journey by foot Walking can be very rewarding both physically and mentally. However, in order to avoid stress along your journey, it is a good idea to plan any journeys so that you are prepared for any setbacks or surprises. The following tips are points you can consider before setting off: Print out a map of the area you will walk in and highlight a route you would like to try. Try different routes to find one you like. If you need to get somewhere on time, leave plenty of time so that you are not in a rush if you go wrong somewhere. Always carry money with you for making emergency calls or in case you need to use public transport/call a taxi. If travelling with others, consider their needs and make sure the route you have selected is not too difficult for them to complete. Make a note of any major crossings and see if you can avoid them for a more pleasant journey. Use residential streets or scenic routes where possible. Consider taking routes through parks and open spaces for a more pleasant walk. However, make sure you take into consideration the time of day. Do not travel alone through parks when it is dark. Be prepared for the weather. Take an umbrella if you think it will rain. If taking pets along with you, make sure they are properly secure and under control. Basic preparations Before carrying out any journey with trainees, it is your responsibility as a trainer to assess the route to ensure it is safe. Where trainees have designed their routes, you will need to check the routes before physically taking trainees with you. This is to ensure that the routes are safe and suitable for all. If you find areas of concern, you could discuss these with the trainees so that they also understand the importance of choosing their routes carefully. You can take route/risk assessment forms with you, contact your local council and ask for assessment forms from the road safety team. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
17 Key data It s always necessary to prepare the trainees for the walking activity by giving them detailed information of what to expect. In short, this includes: Date, place, time and duration of the activity Background and aims What to bring (food, right clothing, etc.)? Directions and how to arrive at the place where the walking activity is to be held Insurance and liability Before starting any action, you should check the legal background concerning insurance and liability. When working as a (language) teacher/trainer, there is often an insurance in place that covers all risks you will encounter. When working as a multiplier, make sure to let the participants sign the declaration of agreement that they are responsible for themselves and that the liability lies on their side. Declaration of agreement To define the terms of participation you should prepare a declaration of agreement which defines the responsibilities of the trainees. (( You will find a template in the Annex of this guide. Trainer-trainee-ratio Be prepared that the trainees will need a lot of attention and care from the trainer. Therefore, the trainer-trainee-ratio should not exceed 1:12! If you have more participants please take another colleague with you. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
18 The right equipment for trainers Trainers should take some kind of bag or rucksack with them to stow the most important things they have to bring. Depending on the actions planned, the right equipment consists of: First aid kit Writing utilities Route/risk assessment form (if needed) Snacks and drinks (with a small reserve for the trainees) Mobile phone for calling emergency services Rain protection gear Summary Walking is a cheap and comfortable way to get around. It is our natural form of movement, it is fun, is flexible and helps to stay fit. The focus of this training lies within showing the trainees the advantages of walking and includes relevant background information and traffic rules for pedestrians. Furthermore, important tips when carrying out walking activities are given in this guide that lead to pleasant walking experiences and comfort for trainers and trainees. TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf
19 Annex Declaration of agreement (template) The trainees have the adequate physical condition to take part in the walking training and there is no medical reason to not take part. The trainees will not take part if they are under the influence of alcohol or medication. The trainees will follow the instructions of the trainer/s. The trainees will instantly inform the trainer/s about every injury and damage that happens. The responsibility and liability for injuries and damages of themselves, third parties or objects lies on the side of the trainees. Only in cases of grossly negligent behaviour the trainer/s will be liable. Name Date/Place Signature TOGETHER_Walking_2_.pdf