Livable Resource Spotlight: Walk Audits

Walking is one of the simplest ways to get active and stay active. With each step you take, you travel further down the path to a healthier lifestyle. In fact, research has shown that walking can have a significant impact on your health by lowering your chances of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

But what if your neighborhood or community just isn’t a safe place to walk? Many communities and neighborhoods are designed for cars and may not be safe for pedestrians or bicyclists.

You can help make community more walkable by conducting a walk audit to identify the roads and intersections that are dangerous for pedestrians but can and should be safely walkable and crossable.

A community walk audit:

·         Can help create a pedestrian-friendly environment

·         Increases exercise opportunities for your community

·         Boosts social interaction among neighbors

·         Enables people to get around without having to drive

·         Can help reduce traffic congestion and pollution

·         Can lead to increased property values

The best part is that ANYONE can conduct a walk audit with the right tools. Check out these great Livable resources for more information:

Chrissy Meyer