Communities can make waking safer by teaching small groups to
take simple “walkability” surveys and to take recommended
actions for community improvements. Your involvement will make a
difference to people you care about. Too many communities in the
United States are designed for automobile travel, with very
little consideration given to the needs of walkers. Lack of
sidewalks, construction of sidewalks too close to roads and lack
of maintenance are all factors that discourage people from
walking regularly. You can help make walking safer by teaching
small groups to take simple “walkability” surveys. Once people
rate an area and identify concerns, the group can take action to
improve walkability. This toolkit will help you do that. About
an hour to complete a walkability survey. More time to follow up
and pursue the needed improvements; this will depend on the
extent of improvements and community cooperation to get the work
done. After driving, walking is the most popular means of travel
in the United States.