Benefits of being walk friendly

• Safety – designing streets for people instead of cars improves safety for all users.
• Health – regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic disease and improves quality of life for people of all ages.
• Equity – prioritize and invest in travel modes that serve all members of the community.
• Environment – more walking, biking and transit use means less air pollution from motor vehicles and a reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
• Economic – walkable communities  draw investment from residents, businesses and tourists alike.

Benefits of program involvement

Why submit an application to the Walk Friendly Communities program? No matter where you’re coming from, we think you’ll find some value in the process.

Self-Assessment

Regardless of whether your community is ready to apply, using the assessment tool to collect all of your pedestrian-related data in one location can help guide the discussion about areas for improvement. It is also helpful for future grants and other applications to have all this information in one place.

Feedback

All applicant communities receive detailed feedback, which provides a third party perspective on what you are doing right and what can be improved. Build our suggestions into your current programs and future plans.

Justification

Positive feedback demonstrates the value of your work, while critical feedback can provide motivation for additional investment. Our goal is to provide you with the motivation needed to launch or continue programs that support safe streets and walkability.

Recognition

Designation as a Walk Friendly Community sets you up as an example among peer cities and raises local awareness about the value of supporting a walkable environment. We’ll hold you up as a model for others and inspire other communities with your success stories.