“Walking Bus” Gets People Moving

Sunny skies and warmer temperatures enticed more than a dozen Pitt faculty and staff to join the Walking Bus last week. Walkers leave Trees Hall at noon and pick up participants along the way for a 30- to 60-minute loop through campus and Schenley Park.

By Patricia Lomando White

After a two-month hiatus, Deborah Aaron, University of Pittsburgh assistant professor of health, physical, and recreation education and epidemiology, is getting the “Walking Health Bus” back on the streets of Oakland.

Aaron’s “walking bus” uses foot power to propel walkers on a route around campus and through Schenley Park. Walkers leave Trees Hall at noon and make stops throughout campus before making the 30-minute loop through the park and back to campus (see below).

Depending on where participants start, the route takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

“The Walking Health Bus is a no hassle way to take a break from your day, get out of your office, and increase your physical activity,” said Aaron, who created T-shirts with the walking bus logo that many walkers wear on the route.

Last year there were about 15 regular walkers with more than 30 people participating on some days. After the Posvar Hall pick up, walkers travel at their own pace through the park.

For more information, call Aaron at 412-648-8272, or send an e-mail to debaaron@pitt.edu.

BUS STOPS

The Walking Health Bus walks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as follows:

Noon Trees Hall

12:02 p.m. Salk Hall (dental school)–Darragh Street entrance

12:11 p.m. GSPH–DeSoto Street entrance

12:16 p.m. Posvar Hall–Bouquet Street entrance

12:18 p.m. 30-minute loop through Schenley Park