On Thursday June 18, America Walks held the first webinar in the Walking College Webinar series,
“Why Walking?” which took a foundational look at the practice of walking and the history of
walkability.
Jonathon Stalls, Founder and Lead Itinerant with Walk2Connect, started with a discussion of
“walking as a practice” – as distinct from walkability and the work of advocacy. He drew from his
own experiences during his 8.5-month, 3,030-mile “Kiva Walk” across America in 2010 and
showcased several organizations, including Girl Trek, Walk with a Doc, and his own Walk2Connect,
that emphasize walking as an experiential activity, and the healing power of walking. Jonathon also
presented initial results of his Centers for Disease and Prevention-funded research into the rapid
growth of walking groups, clubs, and programs, in recent years.
To counterbalance walking as a practice, Jim Stone, biologist and Executive Director of Circulate San
Diego, described the history of walking for transportation in his presentation, titled “The Ecology of
Walking.” Starting with human beings’ unique adaptation to bi-pedalism and millennia of successful
and healthy mobility, Jim examined the impact of the invention of the automobile at the turn of the
last century and the host of unintended consequences thereby triggered. Finally, he used this
analytic background as a framework for understanding recent trends that appear to signal a decline
of the car-centric culture in the developed world.
America Walks received many questions and comments from attendees. Jonathon Stalls
(“Jonathon”) and Jim Stone (“Jim”) offered their expertise to help continue the conversation and
answer the questions below.
Will you mention the importance of walking and walkable communities for senior citizens?
Jonathon: If we want older adults to feel connected, valued, and a part of our communities then
walking and walkability are critical issues that not only directly impact areas right where they live,
but in every new or re-purposed development throughout the country.
Jim: Many seniors have expressed the desire to “age in place.” Having walkable communities is one
critical ingredient necessary for that to happen. Seniors also tend to be more vulnerable as
pedestrians compared to younger people. In fact, nation wide, seniors and children are
disproportionately hit by cars.
How do you help people understand that walkable communities are not just for warm, sunny
climates?
Jonathon: We are built to move by foot. All communities should be prioritizing "walkable
community". Its our inherent, first form of transportation. We all started as walkers. When thinking
about more challenging climates, having proper foot wear and clothing availability and education
will encourage and support pedestrian behavior at the individual level. Having facilities and
amenities that support relief and rest from weather will support pedestrian behavior at the
communal level.
Jim: A number of cold-climate U.S. cities (Boston, New York, Chicago) have good walking conditions
and relatively high rates of walking. Regardless of the temperature, walking is still good for your
health (just dress appropriately), the economy, and the environment.
We are a rural community, and we would like to improve walkability. Any thoughts or
examples on how this can/has been accomplished in other areas? Thanks!
Jonathon: Big issue here and its often not all about sidewalks. Where are the practical destinations?
What amenities and facilities that support pedestrians are within a one mile radius of the schools,
recreation areas, grocery, and main streets? When you start getting more cars competing for road
space, then you have a greater need for sidewalks and separate facilities.
Jim: Focus on areas around schools. It is easier to convince people to invest in keeping kids safe.
What will motivate people to start to walk more and what will keep them motivated?
Jonathon: So many answers to this. What makes it an easier choice? This often points to built
environment, amenities available, and pure enjoyment/comfort. Walking with others for health and
connection can help people walk in areas that may not be all that walkable. This involves having a
leader of sorts helping to start and lead walks, or tool kits that give incentives and tips for
neighborhoods, friends, work groups to connect by foot.
Jim: Above all else, an environment that invites walking, not discourages it. Second, make those who
walk visible to the rest of the community. People are social animals. One of the reasons a popular
beach is popular is because of the people who go there. Any publicity that makes others aware of
people walking will tend to attract additional people.
Is there a relationship between walkability and the design of structures, particularly forms of
housing.
Jim: Architecture can impact people’s perception of a place and make it feel more or less friendly to
walking, depending upon the design. More densely designed residential spaces tend to be more
walkable as well. However, street design is perhaps one of the most significant factors. Streets
designed to move cars and not people create unwalkble places.
How can everyone hear what's going on during a walking meeting?
Jim: Walking meetings work best with a maximum of four people. For larger groups, an alternative
approach is to have a topic for the meeting, walk to a destination (e.g. a park, a coffee shop) and
encourage smaller sub-groups to have discussions along the way. When the group arrives at the
destination, everyone shares their small group discussion and the larger group can then build on it.
What suggestions do you have for increasing walking in the workplace?
Jim: How about in a healthcare system where it may be hard for clinical staff to leave their units, get
a scheduled break etc? Provide incentives, recognition, and maybe even some friendly competition.