Encouraging walking as a sustainable travel choice

Walking is a very accessible form of activity, but are we doing enough to encourage it as a mode of travel

The benefits of walking range from positively impacting local economic growth, to being effective as a prevention to and treatment of physical and mental health conditions. Despite this, 69% of short journeys are still taken by car and there has been a national decline in walking activity. 1 

Encouraging the uptake of walking as a natural choice for shorter journeys will require us to think of longer term solutions, to ensure our walking networks are fit for purpose. Local networks will need to be safe, engaging and accessible for all.

The approach to long term change has been supported by the Department for Transport’s national Cycling and Walking Strategy that aims to integrate walking as a ‘normal part of everyday life’ by 2040. The government has confirmed its commitment to support local authorities in developing high quality walking infrastructure, by providing guidance on the preparation of local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs), and supporting the production of LCWIPs in areas with significant potential for high levels of active travel. 

This direction from government is crucial as transport users respond more effectively to change when their environment and lifestyle has been adapted to encourage it. In response we must plan and design our urban environments around enhancing the user experience.

As the walking network already exists in most urban areas, we will need to develop infrastructure that ensures good quality provision of key corridors and trip generators. This would be achieved through targeted improvements and/or new facilities on all walking routes within these areas, such as town or city centres.

In addition to improving our existing networks, we must work with planners and property developers to ensure that walking is considered the mode of choice in the initial design and planning stages of new infrastructure or housing projects. A prime example of this opportunity exists in the case of the government funded garden village sites. Although locations were announced in January 2017, design models are yet to be approved.

The concept is supported by research carried out by the Grattan Institute into social studies that found older people with stronger networks of friends live longer. The benefits of building well-connected communities through increased walking and social contact goes beyond bringing health benefits to reduce loneliness. We must work with planners and property developers to ensure that walking is considered the mode of choice in the initial design and planning stages of new infrastructure or housing projects. alone and look to more innovative ways to capitalise on opportunities to increase short distance walking trips. 

This will not only encourage a shift away from short distance car journeys, but will lead to better health given the proven benefits that walking brings to physical and mental wellbeing. It’s clear to see that walking can have a profound impact on many aspects of our lives. By creating active and walkable communities we can make significant inroads to improving the quality of life in the places where we live, work and play. We must take steps to provide infrastructure that promote walking as a mode in its own right.

Read more at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/campaigning/article/20160425-campaigning-news-Making-cycling-the-natural-choice-for-journeys---part-one-0#mdXdwAaOpQ00xwye.99

Sarah Fish presented at the Sustainable Transport + Health Summit at Bristol City Hall on the 24 February.

Bringing transport and health together in Bristol

The inaugural Sustainable Transport and Health Summit gave Bristol a great opportunity to show how the city is leading on the collaborative transport and health agenda. The city was able to showcase  its healthy and sustainable travel options to almost 400 delegates over the two days, and the presentation sessions enabled city practitioners to emphasise how important collaboration between transport and health professionals is; a method of working that Bristol has been pioneering for over a decade, and with great success. It was good to see that other authorities and consultants in the UK and Europe are stepping up their game in this regard, but we all need to work consistently at building bridges, breaking out of silos, and working together as the norm to synergistically create the healthy and active transport choices that can vastly improve both the quality of urban life and its economic vitality. 

During the Sustainable Transport and Health Summit, the organisers carried out a short interactive poll in order to gain some insight into the backgrounds of the delegates, a range of  transport, public health and urban professionals, with an emphasis on transport. The poll suggested that almost 80 percent of those taking part (more than 60 respondents) had received no cross-disciplinary training on collaborative transport and health working. This is something that practitioners from Bristol, for example Dr Adrian Davis, are keen to change, and Dr Davis is working to develop a structured programme of training for public health and transport professionals. A few transport professionals in England have already benefitted from (very well-received) customised CPD training carried out by Dr Davis, who can provide transport and health training on request and by agreement. We all look forward to the formation of a more institutionalised cross-disciplinary scheme being available in future, as there is clearly demand for such training. For enquiries training on transport planning and health, please contact:[email protected] //