ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION RESOURCE CENTER
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      • Sidewalks, Steps, Crosswalks, and Connecting Trails
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Walking

Design communities that make it safe and easy for people of all ages and abilities to walk; promote programs and policies to support walking; and provide information to encourage walking and walkability.

PROMOTE WALK-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY DESIGN

Use subdivision and land development ordinances to create or enhance walkable communities
Local policies have the most direct impact on how the built environment supports walking and biking at the site, neighborhood, and community levels. Municipal ordinances and zoning regulations should be regularly reviewed to identify and remove barriers for walking and biking and to include policies that will improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists and help create a built environment that improves health.

Design for people of all ages and abilities​
  • Global Street Design Guide/Designing Streets for People
  • A Checklist for Accessible Sidewalks and Street Crossings

​Apply for a Walk Friendly Community designation
Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. The WFC program recognizes communities that are working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort.
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Walk Friendly Communities in Southwestern PA
Indiana — Bronze
Mt. Lebanon - Bronze
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Walk score
What's your Community's Walk Score?
​Walk Score is a website that calculates how walkable a geographic area is based on the variety and number of destinations, such as grocery stores, schools, and parks that are within walking distance. ​​
International walk charter
Has your Mayor signed the International Walk Charter or a similar pledge to improve the conditions for walking in your community? If so...great! If not, encourage him or her to do so.

PROMOTE WALKING

Effective messaging for promoting biking and walking
  • Effective Messaging for promoting biking and walking

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WalkWorks
To increase opportunities for physical activity, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Center for Public Health Practice to create a network of fun, fact-filled, community-based walking routes and walking groups.

  • Learn more about WalkWorks or find a local walking route and walking group near you by searching Pennsylvania counties on WalkWorks web page.
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Walking initiatives
Walk with a Doc 

Plan Safe Routes to School programs and Walk to School events

Safe Routes to School
Learn more >

Walk to School Day
Join the movement that inspires the entire community to come together and promote health and safer routes for students to walk and bike to school. Communities are welcome to celebrate on the official Walk to School Day or any day in October that best fits their schedules. Plan an event for next year or plan a year-round event. Learn more>

Hold Open Streets events
Learn more>
  • OpenStreetsPGH
Have fun advocating for safer street crossings!
  • Lively Pittsburgh (The Crossings)

PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ENCOURAGE WALKING AND WALKABILITY

publications
  • A Resident's Guide for Creating Safer Communities for Walking and Biking
  • Benefits of Walking
  • Sidewalks / A Livability Fact Sheet
  • Step it Up! The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities
links
  • America Walks
  • Everybody Walk!
  • ​​​National Center for Safe Routes to School
  • Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
  • Safe Routes Partnership
  • Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities

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About

Contact US

​Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
42 21st Street, Suite 101 | Pittsburgh, PA 15222
 Jobs | Civil Rights Program
P: (412) 391-5590 | F: (412) 391-9160
Copyright © 2018
  • Home
  • Initiatives
    • Safe System Approach >
      • Vision Zero
    • Complete Streets
    • Safe Routes
  • Encouragement
    • Walking
    • Biking
    • Trails
    • TDM
  • Evaluation + Planning
    • Steps that local governments can take
    • Maps >
      • Active Transportation Network
      • Sidewalks, Steps, Crosswalks, and Connecting Trails
  • Education
  • Engineering - Design Guidance
  • Find Funding
  • Plan Library