Treadmills or Sidewalks?

Let's say you work for a municipality. Someone is going to give you, voila! 5000 dollars. Lucky you! This doesn't happen in real life. Now, with your 5000 dollars, you are mandated to spend it on something that will keep your population healthy. Not just some of your population, but most of your population. Young, old, fit, not fit, man, woman, child. What do you do with your 5000 dollars? Well, I hope you don't buy a treadmill. I hope you build a sidewalk (even at 100 dollars a foot, you can build 50 feet), and a damn fine one at that.

Now before everyone gets their knickers in a knot...I have a degree in Recreation and Health Education. A real, certified degree from the University of Victoria. I have worked in recreation, with folks living with developmental disabilities, and with children for over 15 years. I like to think I know a little of which I speak. Why not a treadmill you say? What do I have against treadmills? Besides the fact that they are boring as all get out, when it comes to bang for the buck, the sidewalk is the better deal. For one thing, everyone gets a chance to use it, not just those that can get to a gym (and how many 8 year olds do you see on a treadmill?) or those that have time for the gym or those that can use a treadmill (people with wheelchairs for example). Now take a look at that sidewalk in front of your house. How long do you think it has been there? I know the one in front of mine is at least 40 years old, and there are many in town that I would dare say are much older than that. Take a look at the treadmill in your local gym. How old do you think that is? Well, I can tell you, the chances are less than 5. Further, it is probably on a lease and will be replaced by a brand new one in 3-5 years time (5 years would be quite stretching it).

So...buy the sidewalk, get the treadmill next year. Or better yet, set up free walking and running programs for folks so they can use those glorious sidewalks (thank you Esquimalt! you did this already) more than they might currently be doing. Yes, treadmills serve a purpose. I use one when those grey, wet days of February seem relentless and I want to get in a run. But I would argue that in most cases, treadmills are far from the best way to get the majority of your population healthy, and as it so happens, out of their cars.

For 5000 bucks, concrete seems like a sweet deal.