One day later this month, Damian Scott will leave his home and set off for work at 4am – four hours earlier than usual.

He will not, as he normally does, get in his car and make the 15.5-mile trip from Rothwell in south Leeds to Grange Technology College in Bradford, by road. Instead, he will be walking to work along a pre-planned route that takes him through both urban areas and countryside.

When the information officer has finished his day’s work, he will head home the same way – on foot, arriving back at around 10pm.

Damian is changing his routine to mark National Walking Month, which aims to get people on their feet to bring health and environmental benefits.

The month includes Walk to Work Week, from May 14 to 18, and Walk to School Week, beginning on May 21. Damian’s commute satisfies both. He hopes his effort will inspire both pupils and staff.

“Britain is now officially registered as the obesity capital of Europe,” says Damian. “There needs to be more of a focus on health and well-being, particularly among children and young people. I want what I am doing and why to filter down to the children at school.

“Nowadays, there are too many reasons not to go out and get some exercise – there are computers, PlayStation, Facebook and other distractions. When I was young we didn’t have any of that and I’d rarely be at home – we were always out and about, playing, climbing trees, building dens or sledging in winter.”

He adds: “And people are a lot more protective of their children. I don’t think the risks are any greater, other than increased traffic, it is just that people are more aware of threats through the media.”

Damian’s walk to school will be publicised within the school, in the hope that others – both staff and pupils – will follow suit.

A survey by Damian of 1,483 pupils at the 1,840-pupil school, found that 41 per cent walk an average of 0.7 miles to school. The majority – 58 per cent – travel by car, taxi or bus. Others cycle.

Pupils who walk to school for a week can collect rewards that can be exchanged for prizes. “Light exercise makes you more alert, so pupils who walk arrive ready to learn which improves attainment,” says Damian, who is a regular walker in his spare time.

Government statistics estimate that one in five cars in the morning rush hour is on the school run.

National Walking Month is run by the national charity Living Streets, whose work to encourage people to stride out is being backed by Bradford Council.

During Walk to Work Week, people across the UK will be heading out on foot instead of joining rush-hour traffic queues. Companies can sign up for free on the My Living Streets website, where employees can log their miles, minutes and steps taken.

Kate Stanley, environmental awareness officer with Bradford Council’s environment and climate change unit, has set this up for staff. “We want to encourage people to walk where possible,” she says.

“Staff could walk to meetings, or have discussions while walking. Many meetings are within walking distance and on foot there are short-cuts you can take, so it can be quicker than by car. It is also healthier and does not produce harmful emissions.”

The Council is running a lunchtime walk for staff around some of the authority’s energy-efficient buildings: “A little exercise can help to reduce sick leave, too,” says Kate.

It has also organised a series of free walks for the public. Devised by the countryside and rights of way service, parks and ‘friends of’ groups, these take place at locations including St Ives estate, Judy Woods, Baildon Moor and Lister Park. Self-guided walks can also be downloaded from bradford.gov.uk/countryside.

A further incentive to head out is offered through Walk the World, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad campaign to inspire people to discover their local environment. An audio walk surrounding the city’s motto: progress, industry, humanity, can be downloaded from walktheworld.org.uk.

In addition to special weeks, anyone can take part in Living Street’s Great British Walking Challenge, which adds up people’s steps to see how many times we can collectively walk between John O’ Groats and Land’s End.

David Shepherd, assistant director in climate, housing, employment and skills with Bradford Council, says: “Whether you prefer urban or natural terrain, Bradford is a fantastic place to participate in National Walking Month.

The additional benefits include the low environmental impact. And, more importantly, walking is good for our health and wellbeing.”

For more details, visit mylivingstreets.org.uk and walktheward.co.uk.