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Learn About America Walks

Looking for great resources on the benefits of walking or how to transform communities into more walkable places? Check out America Walks – a national voice on walking and walkable communities. This organization works to increase the visibility and demand for public places that allow all people to move and walk in ways that are safe and make the most sense for them. At the regional, statewide, and neighborhood levels, America Walks provides critical strategic support, training, and technical assistance to partner organizations and individuals, and serves as the convener of a large network of grassroots advocates.

If you or others in your community are looking for resources, strategies, programs, webinars or conferences on ways to make your community more walkable, this is the organization to check out. They also provide Technical Assistance and Community Change Grants.

Most impressive is their wealth of resources on the Benefits of Walking.

Here’s one of their published articles on the ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF WALKING

Walking is good for the environment because it produces no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By contrast, the transportation sector is the largest contributor to GHG emissions in the U.S, representing about a third of total greenhouse gas emissions (29%). Between 1990 and 2017, the transportation sector’s GHG emissions increased more in absolute terms than any other sector.

Within the transportation sector, light-duty vehicles (including passenger cars and light-duty trucks) are the largest category responsible for 59% of GHG emissions.

Fossil fuel powered motor vehicles cause air pollution. Ground level ozone is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Ozone, the principle ingredient in smog, harms human health and the environment. Breathing ozone can trigger health problems, particularly for children, older adults, and people who living with respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Ozone can exacerbate these conditions by increasing the frequency of asthma attacks; making the lungs more susceptible to infection and causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People who live near busy roads are even more at risk to exposure of these harmful air pollutants.

While climate change is a big problem, every little bit helps. Walking is an important part of the solution because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Everyone can be part of the solution by walking instead of driving. It is one of the easiest steps you can take to reduce emissions. According to a recent study, pedestrians on average are less exposed to air pollutants compared to persons traveling by car, bus or bike.

According to the most recent U.S. National Household Transportation Survey, 13 percent of all car trips were one mile or less amounting to 16 billion miles annually.

By driving less and walking more you can reduce pollution from motor vehicles, reduce emissions and protect the environment and improve your overall health.

There are many other benefits to walking including lowering blood pressure, reducing depression, and even preventing some cancers.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Walk or bike when you can, take public transportation, ride share or carpool with friends and if your job permits working periodically from home.

Advocate locally to make your community more walkable by adding crosswalks, side pathways and safer road crossings. Get involved in improving the built environment to make it safer and more accessible for persons of all ages and abilities.

Reprinted from America Walks, January 2020