Integrating walking into mobility and transport policy: key learnings

Active mobility, including walking, is a vital part of the low-carbon transport system, helping to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, while decreasing traffic congestion and contributing to improved public health through promoting physical activity. It is a key element of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, aiming to shift to more sustainable transport modes and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Walking is the foundational mode of sustainable mobility, as a mode which is available to almost everyone. However, walking policy has typically lagged behind other modes, and regional policy-makers often do not know what to include in their strategies, as interventions requires comprehensive approaches.

Walking behaviour is influenced by routes and distance, but also by feelings of comfort and safety. Policy needs to focus not only on infrastructure but overall on improving the experience of walking and making it enjoyable and convenient. In particular, links with public transport need to be considered as a perfect match. See the Walk21 policy brief on integrating walking and public transport, for more.

Walk21 set five key goals for policy makers to achieve: that everyone who can, walks regularly; that people can walk safely, considering not only safety from vehicles, but also other people; that everyone can reach public transport hubs by foot; that people have space and facilities to support their needs, and that everyone considers walking as a positive experience. Guidance and case studies are available through the PATH Coalition’s website.

Tampere, Finland, has a comprehensive Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) which prioritises walking to reduce car dependency. Tampere has therefore invested in new walking infrastructure, with connected pathways, wider sidewalks, pedestrian only zones, improved streetlighting, high-quality traffic crossings and traffic calming measures. They have also specifically explored integration with public transport, to ensure that walking routes connect to bus stops, tram stations, and park-and-ride facilities. Additional measures are implemented in winter to ensure safety, such as snow removal and de-icing of frozen pavements.

In designing measures, Tampere has co-ordinated work between the city planning, transport and public works departments, as well as bringing in community groups and citizens, who have been engaged with surveys and workshops. Tampere measures the impact of its walking interventions by tracking pedestrian traffic, accident numbers and satisfaction amongst citizens.

Walk21’s Walkability App is a participatory mapping tool for walking in which citizens can record data on walking and highlight areas that need improvement. The app also allows experts to perform interviews with walkers and to implement audits which can identify areas for improvement, as well as the different attitudes of walkers based on their age, gender, activity levels and other characteristics.

Burgenland used the app in five different areas to understand their experiences, consider safety, comfort and enjoyment, as well as understanding their environmental determinants, such as footpaths, crossings, furniture and green environment. The analysis helped to identify the different kinds of interventions that might promote walking, as well as the different groups that might need help.

Sintra, in Portugal, has developed its Blue-Green Axis, a network of walking and cycling paths which run along waterways and rivers, and provide connections between major points of interest and attractions, as well as between train stations and other transport hubs. The route saw the rehabilitation of waterways, as well as significant efforts in greening the environment and restoring biodiversity.  Many cities have invested in greenways, and the connection between public space and nature can help to significantly improve quality of life.

Such interventions can significantly boost use of active mobility by providing pleasant walking areas. The municipality noted the importance of having integrated policies, providing pleasant public space and considering links with other transport modes, as well as that interventions can be made step-by-step – improvements can be step-wise, not everything has to be tackled at the same time.

• Discussion focused on the main advice for policy-makers looking to improve walking uptake; the following points came up:
  • Safety for walkers is a basic requirement.
  • Greenways are excellent walking infrastructures, considering the link with nature.
  • The best walking policies are built with the aim of a pleasant experience, e.g. the Portuguese walking policy aims at happiness.
  • Walking should be made a priority in the mobility policy.
  • Integration with public transport modes is important
  • Stakeholder engagement is a key part of encouraging walking –
  • Good data on the walking experience and satisfaction is helpful.
  • Policy-makers should proactively listen to what people need and want, taking account of different citizen groups.
  • Walking needs a systemic approach that exists now and is available to all interested.
  • Rural areas need a distinct approach for walking.
• Discussion also considered the role of limiting use of cars – the other side of the coin. Driving limitations are important to create human, rather than car-focused areas. When doing so, however, measures should not be portrayed as taking away options, but providing more choices, such as improving public space, enabling cycling, and better public transport.