Ipswich City Council

Walk Cycle Ipswich

Walking and cycling are great ways to get active!

Please click below to see the latest Walk and Cycle brochure

 Walk Cycle Ipswich Autumn - Winter 2012 (PDF, 556 kb)

Walking Events

Get together with friends and family and join in a local, social and free walking event! Please click on the below for more information on upcoming events:

 Heart Foundation Walking Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens (PDF, 477 kb)

A calendar of the walking events for 2012 is below. For more information contact Council on (07) 3810 6666 or email healthy4life@ipswich.qld.gov.au

Walking Groups

Get together with friends and family and join in a local, social and free walking group: 

 Walking Groups - Autumn-Winter 2012 (PDF, 48 kb)

New Rosewood Walking Group!

A new Rosewood Walking group has started in Ipswich!  For more details click the below flyer:

 Rosewood Health & Wellbeing Walking Group (PDF, 231 kb) 

How do I join a walking group?

1. Find your local walking group in the above list
2. Phone or email the contact listed to receive more information about the group or to ask any questions

3. On your first walk, the walk leader will provide you with a registration form to complete. You only need to complete this once and no bookings are required.

How fit do I need to be?

Walking groups are suitable for all levels of ability including beginners.

What should I bring?

Please ensure you wear comfortable sunsmart clothing, sunscreen (30+ SPF), a wide-brimmed hat, appropriate footwear and bring a water bottle.

Why walk in walking groups?

Walking in groups can:

• Provide extra incentive and motivation
• Be more social and enjoyable, and are a great way to meet new people and make friends
• Feel safer

Regular Heart Foundation Walking participants receive recognition for reaching certain milestones. To further encourage residents to walk regularly with their group Ipswich City Council has introduced an Ipswich incentive program. The program compliments the existing national Heart Foundation Walking incentive program by providing additional rewards such as hats, shirts, sports towels and backpacks at more milestones.  For more information download the below flyer:

 Heart Foundation Walking Ipswich Incentive Program Flyer (PDF, 171 kb)

There are no groups in my area - how do I get involved?

Start your own group!  Download the below flyer for more information about starting a walking group:

 Thinking About Starting A Walking Group (PDF, 62 kb) 

The Heart Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support and funding for Heart Foundation Walking from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Heart Foundation Walking is also funded by the Queensland Government to get more Queenslanders active.  

10,000 Steps

Every step counts towards leading an active and healthy lifestyle! 10,000 steps is the recommended daily step goal for adults, and participating in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity like brisk walking can help you towards achieving this goal. Start making every step count by: 

1. Getting a pedometer:

-Library:  you can borrow a pedometer from the Ipswich Libraries, South Street, Ipswich. For more information contact the library on 07) 3810 6815 or info@library.qld.gov.au

-Ipswich Hospital Foundation:  you can obtain a FREE pedometer from the Ipswich Hospital Foundation by participating in any Fit 4 Life activity. For more information includiging a schedule of activities visit http://www.ihfoundation.org.au/ or contact the Ipswich Hospital Foundation on 07) 3817 2318 or info@ihfoundation.org.au.

2. Logging your steps - start your step log by registering on the 10,000 Steps website at http://www.10000steps.org.au/), or pick up a step log from the library when you borrow a pedometer.

By registering with 10,000 Steps you can also participate in challenges and win prizes:

10,000 Steps I-Challenges - take a virtual adventure anywhere in the world by participating in these monthly challenges, and be in the running to win prizes such as heart rate monitors and Asics shoes!

10,000 Steps Challenge for Workplaces - the challenge aims to provide an opportunity for businesses to participate in a work-specific physical activity challenge to help workplaces take positive steps towards better health

3. Being active every day in as many ways as you can - make walking part of your everyday lifestyle:

• Walk instead of using the car
• Park further away from your destination and walk the rest of the way
• Walk to and from your train station or bus stop, and get on and off at a stop that is further away
• Take the stairs instead of the lift
• Walk rather than rest on escalators and travelators
• Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity everyday by walking with pets, family and friends in a walking group

Bushwalking

Bushwalking is a great way to get active while getting back to nature! Ipswich offers a number of conservation parks and reserves with walking trails to cater for all levels of ability.

Pick up a Trails of Ipswich guide from Ipswich City Council's Customer Service Centre or download a copy here using this link - Bushwalking Guide

Cycling Groups / Events

Get together with friends and family and join in a local, social and free cycling groups / events:

 Cycle Groups - Autumn-Winter 2012 (PDF, 26 kb)

Getting Started

• Choose a route which is flat and smooth - a shared off-road path like the Brassall Bikeway is a great way to start!
• Ride slowly for the first 10 minutes, gradually increasing your speed as you warm up, and finish by warming down and stretching.
• Aim to participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as cycling) on most days of the week.
• Stay motivated by keeping it fun - ride with friends, family or a local cycling group and try one of the many cycle friendly routes in Ipswich.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Ride

 When cycling on shared paths:

1. Watch Out -  give way to pedestrians
2. Stay Safe - ride at a safe speed
3. Use Your Bell - alert other path users and pass on the right
4. Keep Left - ride on the left side except when overtaking

When cycling on roads:

Walk Friendly Routes & Recreational Bike Ride Maps

Get together with friends and family and explore a walk friendly route/recreational bike ride near you:

 Walk Friendly Routes (PDF, 731 kb)

 Recreational Bike Rides (PDF, 815 kb)

Walkability / Bikeability Checklist 

How walkable/bikeable is your neighbourhood? 

A safe and supportive environment for walking and cycling is essential. Neighbourhoods need to be walkable and bikeable for all members of the community and for all ages and abilities. Local residents know and understand their neighbourhoods better than anyone else and can identify aspects that may help or hinder walking and cycling in their areas. 

By completing and submitting the below Neighbourhood Walkability/Bikeability Checklists, individuals and groups can provide feedback to Council to assist Council in improving the quality of the walking and cycling environment. To help Council to improve your walking/cycling environment complete and submit the below checklists:

 Neighbourhood Walkability Checklist (PDF, 331 kb)

 Neighbourhood Bikeability Checklist (PDF, 217 kb)

Walking & Cycling Contacts

Ipswich Hospital Foundation
P:  1300 736 428
E:  info@ihfoundation.org.au  
W: http://www.ihfoundation.org.au/  

Heart Foundation Walking
P:  1300 36 27 87
E:  walking@heartfoundation.org.au
W: www.heartfoundation.org.au/walking

Ipswich Bicycle Users Group
P:  07) 3428 5020
E:  delphined123@optusnet.com.au  
W: http://www.ipswichbug.org/

Bicycle Queensland
P:  07) 3844 1144
E:  bqinfo@bq.org.au 
W: http://www.bq.org.au/

Department of Transport and Main Roads (Cycling Area)
P:  07) 3167 4402    
E:  cycles@tmr.qld.gov.au    
W: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Cycling.aspx 

Further Information:

Contact Council on (07) 3810 6666 or healthy4life@ipswich.qld.gov.au to:

• Be added to the email list
• Provide feedback or suggestions
• Enquire about adding your organisation's activities into the program. You may also wish to add your details/activities to:

Ipswich Community Online

Ipswich Events Calendar

Last Updated 14 May 2013 | Print this page | Contact us | News Feeds | Copyright © 2013 Ipswich City Council
Printed From: http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/residents/healthy_lifestyle/walk_cycle_ipswich

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