MAKE A PLEDGE TO #GETOUTSIDE THIS SUMMER

Tuesday 21 Jul 2015 @ 10:15
Ordnance Survey - English

Following new research showing walking is on the decline in Britain, Ordnance Survey is launching a campaign to urge people off the sofa, to ditch the car and to enjoy the Great British outdoors.

The new #GetOutside campaign aims to get people of all ages and abilities to step outside their front door and start adventuring, no matter how big or small, and no matter where they live.

As part of the campaign OS is asking for people to make their own #GetOutside pledges – from walking the dog longer and further, to scaling Britain’s highest summits. Anyone looking for more fresh air and to get active can pin their pledge to the map through the #GetOutside website – www.os.uk/getoutside. There is also the added incentive of a weekly draw to support the best pledges and the handing out vouchers to support the activities – from ice cream vouchers for the family, to a pair of new walking boots for that ultimate challenge.

The campaign was created by OS in response to new research findings which show that a quarter of the British public won’t walk anywhere that takes over 15 minutes. Three quarters of us don’t walk to work. Almost 70% never walk to the shops, while only a third would ever do the school run on foot. And it’s not just incidental walking that looks to be on the decline, only around a third of us admit to enjoying a weekend walk for pleasure.

The research also identified the top three biggest barriers to spending time outdoors. These are the infamous British weather, not enjoying being around lots of people and not having enough local green spaces or trails. Despite these barriers, only 29% of Brits think their lifestyle is too sedentary and that they spend too much time indoors or sitting down per day.

Nick Giles, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey Leisure, says: “These results highlight that there are many people who could do more to get outside and get active. However it is important to remember that every week there are millions of people who are enjoying the great British outdoors – whether in the National Parks or their local parks. The benefits of exercising and getting regular fresh air are huge and we think that it is time more of us #GetOutside!”

To further support the #GetOutside campaign, OS is also making its own pledge to publish 1 million walking routes around the country on the new OS Maps online portal.

Nick Giles adds: “We think Britain is great and it’s all out there, waiting for you. We launched the #GetOutside campaign to inspire people from all walks of life just to spend a little more time outside. There’s usually adventure to be had outdoors, be it scaling a rock face or hunting for tadpoles. What’s deemed as adventurous is down to you, but you could see yourself – quite literally – in a whole new light.

“Before you don the wellies or trainers visit the OS website for some inspiration and tell us your #GetOutside pledge. Getting outside doesn’t need to be a daunting task – it can be a weekly family walk to the local park or getting off the bus a stop earlier on the way to and from work.”

As part of the campaign OS has teamed up with adventurers Steve Backshall, Bonita Norris and Sean Conway to offer help, advice and inspiration for those who want to get outside. To support the campaign the three adventurers have also made their own pledges which can be viewed at www.os.uk/getoutside

Research

The research for Ordnance Survey was carried out by Opinion Matters between:
23/06/2015 and 26/06/2015

Sample: 1,381 UK adults

All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).

National

Three quarters of working Brits don’t walk to their place of work in the morning
68% do not walk to the shops
25% would not work further than 15 minutes to a destination
29% of Brits think their lifestyle is too sedentary and that they spend too much time indoors or sitting down per day