How to Improve Walking Routes in Your Community
Walking is one of the best ways to get around – and a great form of exercise. Encourage more of it by enlisting neighbors to identify ways to improve walking routes in your community. It's rewarding, easy to organize, and a great way to boost access to local destinations.
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You Will Need
- A Sidewalks and Streets toolkit
- Volunteers
- An area to assess
- Street maps
- Clipboard, paper and pen, and a camera
- A follow-up meeting
Steps
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Step 1
Download surveys
Download the Sidewalks and Streets toolkit at CreateTheGood.org/howto. Volunteers use these checklists to rate a walking route on various criteria, like the condition of the sidewalks, the safety of the crosswalks, and the area's overall cleanliness.
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Step 2
Find volunteers
Find friends and neighbors willing to walk a designated route in town and note along the way what could be done to make it easier or safer for walking. Consider enlisting a local organization's help in supplying volunteers.
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Include someone with mobility challenges if possible, and someone with a stroller. You can also consult with an expert who understands mobility concerns for people with physical challenges.
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Step 3
Map out an area
Choose a date, time, and location for the walk. Map out an area to assess that should be pedestrian-friendly. You may choose your own area to walk, or ask the opinion of community leaders.
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Step 4
Conduct the survey
Ask each volunteer to bring along a street map, clipboard, paper, and pens, plus a camera to record any examples of items that require change or repair. Rate each item on the survey.
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Photos are especially powerful tools for illustrating problems and convincing community leaders of changes needed.
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Step 5
Tally the scores
At the end of the walk, collect the surveys. Tally the results and identify improvements you can make now or in the future.
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Step 6
Share your report
For improvements that require help from local agencies, produce a report that includes photos. Share your report with local agencies and elected officials and request action!
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Step 7
Compare notes
Go to CreateTheGood.org/howto to check out how other communities have made themselves more pedestrian-friendly. Then post an article about your own success!
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Studies show that safe, walkable communities promote meaningful participation in community life.
