Stuff you can do yourself

Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get working. Your work to set priorities will be really handy now. If you’ve decided on some short, medium and long term goals, your next steps might be pretty apparent.

Use the list below to give you ideas for things that may help build momentum quickly.

But remember, the ideas don’t have to lead to big things, you and your group may decide to keep it simple and do these types of things all the time. Imagine what a better place your neighbourhood would be if people really got involved to make their streets fun and friendly!

• organising a street party to help neighbours get to know each other and maybe even recruit some more members. (You could make a CD with walking-themed music to set the tone);
• holding a breakfast bbq or afternoon snack stop along a popular walking route – people will stop to eat, and you can then tell them a little more about what you’re trying to do;
• starting a recreational walking group;
• setting up a ‘walk to school’ or ‘walk to the shops’ day in the local area, and encourage everyone to get involved;
• holding a neighbourhood working bee to make your neighbourhood more walking-friendly. Collect rubbish, cut back branches and bushes that overhang footpaths, and mow grass (make sure you get permission from property owners or the council before you whip out the secateurs, though!);
• starting an intensive chalk campaign on footpaths, with messages like ‘five minutes walk to the local shops’, ‘three minutes walk to the park’, ‘why not walk?’, and any others you can think of;
• reusing some of the promotional ideas that worked when you first got the group together;
• contacting your local council to find out how it’s promoting and encouraging walking in the area (you might be pleasantly surprised!);
• starting a campaign to wave to drivers – it not only makes the neighbourhood feel like a friendly place, it also reminds drivers that they share the streets with walkers;
• encouraging people to use their front yards for sitting and gathering in. This also makes streets feel more friendly, encourages spontaneous chats between walkers and residents, and reminds drivers that these are residential streets;
• setting up some safe, supervised games for neighbourhood children to play on the footpath, like hopscotch or skipping;
• researching and promoting an historical walk around the neighbourhood, conducted for and by local people;
• trying to discourage cars from parking across footpaths (see our yellow feet case study for some good ideas);
• hosting a ‘walking treasure hunt’, especially one which encourages children;
• encouraging people to improve their neighbourhoods with interesting, attractive plants along the nature strips – you might even be able to get some sponsorship from a local nursery;
• reminding the group to be courteous to drivers who share the road with walkers, so that you’re practicing what you’re preaching;
• drawing attention to hazards or danger zones with signs, balloons, posters or groups of people. Make sure that you don’t do anything that could distract drivers and cause accidents though!

Finally, don’t forget to let local media know about your activities. They might be willing to spread the word before an event, which will boost participation, or even come along on the day and take photos.