About 13-15% use cars to cover walking distances: study

Figure much higher than US, Hong Kong, Egypt, Brazil

About 13% of men and 15% of women in India use their cars for commuting to places which are at a walking distance, found a study by Max Bupa Health Insurance. The research said the figure is much higher than other countries such as the US, Hong Kong, Egypt and Brazil.

“Our research shows that 13% of men and 15% women in India agree that they use their cars for journeys which are short enough to walk, said Manasije Mishra, Chief Executive (Designate), Max Bupa.

The insurance company, a joint venture between Max India Ltd and international healthcare provider Bupa, is rolling out a multi-city initiative to make 20,000 Indians walk. The company said aimed at encouraging people to build more walking into their daily routine, the programme is an attempt to bring about positive long term sustainable behavioural change into their lives.

On October 27 and 28, 2012, the walks will be organized in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Surat, Pune and Kochi. These will be followed by Walk for Health in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore on November 4, 2012.