How to Encourage Walking at the Community Level
Six in 10 adults now get physical activity by walking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To enhance walking spaces and help more people become physically active, physical therapists can work with their community leaders to:
- Consider walking when creating long-range community plans.
- Consider designing local streets and roadways that are safe for people who walk and other road users.
- Create opportunities to let community residents use school tracks or gyms after school hours.
- Maintain existing sidewalks and walking paths.
- Promote walking paths with signs and route maps that are easy to read.
For more ideas on promoting walking in your community, visit CDC's website.