A Millennium of Walking

Walking

A Millenium of Walking

Dateline: 12/06/99

How has the Second Millennium been for walking?

Walking Goes Downhill in the Second Millennium

Back in AD 1000, feet were the main form of human transportation, around the world, on every continent. The only alternative was animal transport. This was limited to those with a certain standard of wealth, as well location – there were no tamed animals large enough to ride in the Americas or Australia. The vast majority of humanity walked to wherever they wished to journey.
But towards the end of the millennium, this had changed, and mankind had many non-foot alternatives for transportation. Mechanical bicycles and train transportation came into wide use in the 1800’s. Then the internal combustion engine transformed everything and cars, motorcycles, and airplanes came into wide use.
Asphalt followed, and extensive road systems were built to support the new, fast traffic.
Those walking on foot were often forgotten, or left to walk in the gravel and mud at the shoulder of the highway. When facilities were added, they were called bike lanes rather than pedestrian paths.

High Points of Walking in the Second Millennium

Making a walking pilgrimage to a shrine was a religious expression that was encouraged in the first half of the millennium.
The 1800’s were known as the Pedestrian Age. Walking races where extremely popular and commanded huge wagers.
The pioneers who trekked across the continent on the Oregon Trail generally did so on foot, their draft animals pulling wagons.
With the re-institution of the Olympic Games, the 50 kilometer walk was added and remains the longest Olympic distance event.
While the military developed new toys with tanks, airpower, and missiles, infantry units were still decisive in most wars. Armies still march into battle.
Cities and towns in the late 20th Century began to realize that they had removed foot traffic and began to work to restore footpaths, closing down some streets to make them into pedestrian malls.
Long distance trails are being developed and maintained – the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the American Discovery Trail.
Volkssporting was developed in the late 1960’s as a way to get more people walking and reward every "race" participant as a winner.
In the past 20 years, walking events have resurged in popularity. Running clubs and charity events began to consistently add walking events as well.
Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the USA at the end of the millennium, with 65 million regular walkers.