Dubai walkers need to go double the distance for better health, says Limitless Study

People in the emirate take an average of 5,506 steps a day instead of the recommended 10,000. While Dubai's most active walkers cover almost 7,900 steps daily on average, 5% of residents claim they haven't walked anywhere in the last week, according to the research, which will help Limitless cater to people's needs when designing projects, with the results reflected in the company's master plans.

The study, in March 2009, questioned 625 people - from a range of ethnic backgrounds, locations and income brackets - about their walking and transport usage patterns, and used pedometers to track the walking habits of 188 participants over a seven day period.

Nearly half (46%) of those who took the Limitless 'ped tests' were found to be active walkers, covering at least 5,000 steps a day by consciously walking for better health, to lose weight or to avoid parking problems. One in five (19%) was a passive walker, sub-consciously doing under 3,000 strides as part of their daily office or home routine. The remainder took between 3,000 and 5,000 steps.

Saeed Ahmed Saeed, CEO of Limitless, said:

"Physical inactivity can cost economies billions of dollars, as it places enormous strain on health services and lost working days through sick leave. Walkable communities with carefully planned infrastructure contribute to a more sustainable society by boosting the economy, improving social lives and reducing harmful emission from cars.

"Limitless aims to promote social interaction and wellbeing by designing sustainable, walkable communities around the people who will live and work in them. For example, our Downtown Jebel Ali project in Dubai includes public open spaces, shaded areas and affordable, environmentally-friendly transport alternatives to the car."

Feet first

Asians and Westerners walk the most, at 6687 and 6135 paces a day respectively, according to the study. Residents of Bur Dubai walk more than people in any other location (6416); and 45 to 60 year olds cover more ground than any other age group, taking 8128 steps daily - almost 3,000 more than the average.

Residents on lower incomes outpace higher earners: people paid less than Dhs15,000 a month walk 31% further than those who earn Dhs25,000 or more.

Transport trends

Cars outweigh any other form of transport in Dubai, though the Dubai Metro should reduce car dependency, the research found. Residents drive on 24 days each month on average, and 80% of people questioned said they had travelled by car in the last seven days. By contrast, 42% had used taxis; 20% RTA buses; 14% company-provided transport, 8% boat and 6% bicycle.

Expats are also driving more since arriving in Dubai: nearly half of Westerners and three quarters of expat Arabs say they use the car more and walk less as a result.

Home ground

People in Bur Dubai are strides ahead of those in other areas of the city, covering more than 6,416 steps daily. Closely behind are Ghusais residents (5983); followed by Deira (5295); and Sheikh Zayed Road, including Jumeirah (5159). Residents in New Dubai walk the least: just 4,000 steps daily, relying instead much more on the car.

Why walk?

All ethnic groups cite improving health, losing weight, breathing fresh air and boosting energy as main reasons for walking, but almost a third of Asians and nearly a quarter of Westerners walk as an actual means of transport.

Both of these groups also walk to avoid parking problems (28 and 24% respectively), while one in five Asians (19%) walks to the bus stop, largely because they have no driving licence and rely on public transport.

Nine out of 10 residents would walk more if there were shaded streets on which to keep cool, and almost the same number (88%) would take more strolls if streets had adjacent parks.

Marching through the mall, training on the treadmill

After local neighbourhoods, shopping malls are the main destination for walks in Dubai. Almost all Emiratis (99%), nearly nine out of 10 expat Arabs (87%), three quarters of Westerners and over two thirds of Asians walk in malls. The average visit lasts just over an hour.

Beaches and Dubai Creek are also popular walking venues for Emiratis (95%) and Arabs (95%), but less so among Asians (54%) and Westerners (44%). Parks are also high on the list for Arabs.

Walking on the treadmill is most popular among Westerners, with almost a third (31%) regularly stepping up their exercise routine in the gym, on an average of 21 days each month. Treadmills are used by just over a quarter of Asians (28%), a fifth of Emiratis (20%) and a sixth of expat Arabs (15%).