Benefits

Why Walkable Communities are Important

Building and supporting a community that supports walking is good for people, the environment and the economy. Here is how:

Health

People who walk lower their risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Walkable communities provide greater opportunities for people to walk and be active in their neighbourhood.

• 2/3 of Canadian children and youth are not active enough
  to lay a solid foundation for future health and well-being;

• Improved vigour, self-esteem and a sense of well-being come from physical health and in turn contribute to healthier and happier personal relationships and improved productivity in work situations and at school;

• Research shows that moderate physical activity reduces the risk of premature death, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke, depression and colon cancer;

• The effects of automobile emissions on health include
  increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in young
  children and the elderly

Environment:

When we walk instead of driving short distances we help keep the
air and water clean.

• Active transportation can contribute to national and global commitments for pollution prevention and reduction of
  greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate
  change/global warming;

• Each motor trip that is switched to cycling or walking avoids releasing 2.6 grams of hydrocarbon, 367 grams of carbon
  dioxide, and 1.6 grams of nitrogen oxides per passenger mile;

• Epidemiological analyses indicate that as many as 8% of
  all non-accidental deaths in the country are related to air pollution;

• Bicycling and walking can help to alleviate some of the
  negative effects of intense motorization, including traffic congestion, air pollution excessive noise, and destruction
  of the environment;

• Active modes do not cause disruptions to the local community environment, such as raising of dust and ground vibrations.

Traffic and Congestion:

When more people walk, there is less traffic. This means driving is
safer and roads cost less to maintain.

• A shift from personal vehicle use to an active mode may
  help reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes. In
  1995, motor vehicle crashes in Canada killed 3,347 people (average of 10 people a day or annual equivalent of 10
  jumbo jet crashes) and injured 241,800 (roughly equivalent
  to all the people of greater Victoria). From 1986 to 1995, a
  total of 5,179 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles and
  157,703 were injured;

• American data suggest that active modes of transportation
  may be safer than those involving motor vehicles.

Community

When people walk, they feel more a part of their community. They feel connected to the places where they live, work and play and more aware of the environment. When people are out walking and cycling, the streets are safer.

• Active transportation leads to a reduction of crime and
  fostering of a greater sense of personal and family security
  in a community, through increased presence of “eyes on the street” with walkers, cyclists and the like being active in the neighbourhood;

• More “eyes on the street” help deter crime and also provide neighbours and citizens with the sense and assurance that
  they are not alone, and that help is readily available when needed;

Economy:

As people stay healthy, health care costs less. When communities are well-designed and compact, more people can get to the employment, education and social services they need.

• Investing and supporting walkable communities can help the
  local economy in several ways including downtown
  revitalization, rural and urban trails, tourism, and job
  creation in businesses which service active modes like
  walking and cycling.

• Active living leads to a reduction of health care costs
  because people are in better shape;

• The Conference Board of Canada estimates that a 10%
  increase in the proportion of Canadians who are physically
  active could save $102 million annually from the treatment
  of ischemic heart disease.

• In Canada, the environmental costs of transportation are estimated at $14-36 billion per year.

• Reducing noise increases property values in residential areas, particularly if the noise of the morning commute is lessened.