Gov`t Campaign Promoting More Walking, Bicycling

The Seoul Olympics Sports Promotion Foundation is staging a “3010 Campaign” by upgrading its “7330 (exercise of more than 30 minutes per day, three days a week) Campaign” to promote public health.

The new campaign calls for 30 minutes or three kilometers of fast walking or two kilometers of leisurely walking. Walking three kilometers in 30 minutes burns 135 kilocalories, or kcal. Ten kilometers of bicycling takes about 30 minutes, though speeds differ from person to person. Thirty minutes of bicycling at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour burns 500 kcal.

A run of 75 minutes at eight kilometers per hour consumes 450 kcal, which shows the sheer amount of physical exercise bicycling requires.

The foundation also said the 3010 Campaign helps improve the environment by reducing the CO2 emissions generated when people travel by car. A mid-size car with a two-liter engine emits 200 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. A run of three kilometers results in a cut of 600 grams of CO2, and bicycling ten kilometers cuts 2,000 grams.

If the average person implements these lifestyle changes every day, he or she will cut 4.2 kilograms of CO2 emissions by walking and 14 kilograms through bicycling per week.

Since a pine tree absorbs five kilograms of CO2 emissions per year, the three-kilometer walk has the same effect as planting one pine tree per week, and expands to three pine trees if the bicycling is added.

The campaign also seeks to conserve energy consumption in the era of high oil prices through lowering vehicle use. If a mid-size vehicle with a two-liter engine can travel 10 kilometers per liter of gasoline, the three-kilometer run can save 0.3 liter of gas a day and the 10-kilometer bicycling distance one liter.

Adjusted annually, the walk can save 182,000 won (150 U.S. dollar) a year and the bicycling 607,000 (510 dollars) assuming gas costs 1,664 won (1.40 dollars) per liter. If the opportunity costs from lighter traffic are considered, the real economic benefits are far larger.

If people walk or bicycle as part of their daily routine, the movement will help galvanize related industries by increasing demand for walking shoes, bikes and auxiliary equipment.

The government since last year has promoted bicycling as a core part of its green growth strategy in sports. The campaign has resulted in the construction of bicycle plants nationwide and creation of jobs.

The 3010 Campaign seeks to be a general movement to bring about harmony among humans, the environment and economic growth rather than a mere change in transportation means.

yjongk@donga.com