My husband's work requires a two mile round trip walk to and from his job site. Not because of a lack of parking, but because of tightened security.

John works at a nuclear facility and security at American plants is plenty tight in these days of terror alerts.

To help ensure safety, employees are asked to walk to their posts from outlying parking lots. This helps create a safe zone that is both effective and economical. With no cars allowed near the building, suicide car bombers would be wasting their time and diabolical efforts.

Allowing cars on site is an expensive undertaking, requiring more guards, checkpoints, random searches and clearances. Asking employees to walk a bit is an easy solution to at least one part of this troubling issue.

Of course, the bonus to this increased safety is more active workers. Walking two miles a days, five days a week is a good start to healthier employees. As an engineer, John spends most of his day connected to his computer. This required walking is a terrific addition to a sedentary day. He chooses to walk the same route at lunch, attaining 10, 000 steps daily and that is enough to make a difference in overall health.

The same opportunities for improved health exist in Cooperstown. The most obvious example is Bassett Healthcare. Though not mandated, walking from the Clark Sports Center parking lot to the hospital (.9 miles, one way) should be encouraged and even rewarded. Many Bassett employees do skip the shuttle and they should be applauded for the example they set.

The Otesaga Hotel also shuttles employees who could easily walk the few blocks from the parking lot on upper Main to the hotel.

Unlike at a nuclear station, the decision to walk to work is usually a voluntary one. Employees can voluntarily choose to reap the countless benefits of the simplest exercise painlessly incorporated into the day.

Walking is the smart choice.

Brenda Berstler is the founder of The Walking Example Group (WEGO).