‘USP WorkWalks’ breaks through sedentary patterns and now also receives national recognition with the BeweegAward
The Dutch sit an average of nine hours a day, making them the “European Champion of Sitting,” which is detrimental to health and performance. USP WorkWalks, an inspiring initiative by HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht in collaboration with Utrecht University, the municipality of Utrecht, and the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, is breaking this pattern. The initiative has now also received national recognition. The initiators received the 2025 Exercise Award from State Secretary Judith Tielen (Health, Welfare and Sport) on Friday, January 16th. In addition to various administrators and guests, Alderwoman Eva Oosters and artist and ambassador of the ‘BeweegAlliantie’ Antje Monteiro were present at the award ceremony.
Get off that chair
Dutch people sit for an average of almost nine hours per workday, which is detrimental to health and productivity. Despite years of warnings, little change in behavior occurs. “Prolonged sitting is very unhealthy and damaging to the body and brain,” says neuropsychologist Erik Scherder. “We’ve known this for years, but too little is being done. Employers talk a lot about vitality, but behavior doesn’t change automatically. It’s time for action.” The USP WorkWalks initiative encourages walking during work or study, which promotes peace, creativity, and efficiency.
From idea to implementation
The initiators of the USP WorkWalks are HU employees Arianne Liebe and Floor Nieuwenhuijzen. They joined forces with Utrecht University, the municipality of Utrecht, and the Utrecht Science Park Foundation. On September 23, 2024, HU director Gerard van Assem and UU director Margot van der Starre officially opened the USP WorkWalks. The initiative was developed based on practice-based research by Fontys Sports and Exercise. Everyone at Utrecht Science Park can now use the WorkWalks. People can follow the route arrows or scan a QR code to see the route on their phone.
No extra time investment
Since then, more and more USP employees and students have been incorporating a walk into their work or study day. There are three fixed routes at Utrecht Science Park (23, 40, and 51 minutes; see the walking map), complete with route arrows, QR codes, and free umbrellas. Employees and students book the WorkWalks through Outlook, just like a regular meeting room. These walking routes encourage employees and students in an accessible way, without taking up any extra time, to literally get moving during their work or study day during a meeting, a bilateral discussion, or a brainstorming session. Arianne says: “How great would it be if walking while working became as natural as getting coffee?!”
Award-winning idea
The ‘BeweegAlliantie‘ has now awarded this idea with a prize: the ‘BeweegAward‘. In addition to WorkWalks, RainWalks also won the ‘BeweegAward’. The two initiatives were joint winners and received the award from Judith Tielen, State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport. Because the initiatives complement each other, the ‘BeweegAlliantie’ decided to recognize both initiatives. This award gives them national recognition. The award ceremony took place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Utrecht Science Park Foundation office, followed by a walk. In addition to State Secretary Tielen, various administrators, and guests, HU director Eva Reuling, Alderwoman Eva Oosters and artist and ‘BeweegAlliantie’ ambassador Antje Monteiro were also present at the award ceremony.
In the photo above, from left to right: Jan Henk van der Velden (director of the USP Foundation), Eva Oosters (councillor), Erik Lenselink (director of the Beweegalliantie), Cynthia Vilt (UU), Arianne Liebe (HU), Caroline Grandia (Rainwalks), Alja Huibers (Rainwalks), Judith Tielen (State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport), Antje Monteiro (artist and ambassador of the Beweegalliantie), Eva Reuling (HU board member).
Photo: Kees Rutten
About USP WorkWalks
USP WorkWalks encourages walking meetings at Utrecht Science Park through three fixed, easily accessible walking routes that are easy to plan. This makes exercise part of the workday without taking up extra time. The initiative was developed based on practice-oriented research by Fontys Sports and Exercise and rolled out in collaboration with HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Municipality of Utrecht, and the Utrecht Science Park Foundation. USP WorkWalks contribute to vitality, focus, energy, creativity, and connection in the workplace. Learn more.
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