Statistics and Evidence
As recently as February 2007 a team of researchers (McCormack GR, Giles-Corti B, Bulsara M) published ‘The relationship between destination proximity, destination mix and physical activity behaviours’ in Prev Med 2008 Jan;46(1):33-40. Epub 2007 Feb 8, providing the evidence that people will choose to walk for transport if they have local shops, schools and public transport stops within close proximity of their homes. The more destinations there are and the better the mix of destinations within a 400 to 1500m radius, the more we will apparently spend walking for transport.
Several research projects back up these findings, having focused on particular elements within the environment that have then been found to create safe and comfortable walking experiences and led directly to have an impact on whether people choose to walk, for example providing a footway and safe crossing points, good lighting and access to local parks and open spaces. For more information click here. A recent research paper (P L Jacobsen, F Racioppi and H Rutter, 2010) further illustrates the relationship between traffic speed and volume and walking and cycling behaviours.
The Department for Transport has published Guidance on the Appraisal of Walking and Cycling Schemes setting out a clear methodology for assessing values of increased walking and cycling. The guidance gives monetary values to impacts like reduced CO2, deaths saved as a result of better fitness and journey ambience, which can be used as a good basis to help make the business case for more recognition and investment in projects that support us walking more locally.
Walking in London
Key findings from a review of well over sixty studies connected with walking, ranging from qualitative research to large scale travel surveys such as the LTDS (London Travel Demand Survey).
Walking in London
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