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Elimination of sidewalks, resulting in banishment of pedestrians

Infrastructure development for pedestrian pathways, like sidewalks, encourages active commuting, reveals a recent study. However, a Quebec local expresses their frustration, stating "While we're broadening highways in Quebec, there's a lack of funds for ensuring safe walking spaces within...

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Take a Stroll: How Infrastructure Encourages Walking for a Healthier Population

Elimination of sidewalks, resulting in banishment of pedestrians

Sidewalks and Active Displacement on the RiseDespite the financial hurdles and uncertain outcomes that deter some cities and municipalities from investing in walking infrastructure, new research suggests a clear link between such investments and increased walking, leading to improved public health. And it's one fact that leaves a Quebec citizen with a grievance: "In Quebec, we're widening highways, but there's no money for people to walk safely in their own neighborhoods," he laments.

Getting Those Steps InDubbed "walkability," a research study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that each 1% increase in an area's "walkability" boosts the population's minutes spent walking by 0.42%. Translated into real-world terms, this means that a 55% increase in a neighborhood's "walkability" could result in a 23% spike in walking—that's roughly 19 extra minutes per week for each of that area's residents.

Density: The Key to a Walkable NeighborhoodAccording to Glen Duncan, a professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Washington, arranging neighborhoods with higher population density is crucial for promoting walking. This isn't limited to urban and suburban areas or even rural ones; the presence of residents is vital for an area to thrive as a walkable community.

Is the Message Getting Through?However, Angie Pineau-Lemieux, spokesperson for the Accessible Transportation organization, believes that the importance of safe amenities for promoting walking often goes unrecognized by decision-makers. "For cycling, it's increasingly accepted. But for walking, the message often doesn't get through. Elected officials will say, 'No need for sidewalks: there are no walkers here.' But in reality, it's the opposite."

A Success Story UnfoldingThe success of Quebec's VivaCité (CVC) corridors, which feature separate bike paths and tranquil sidewalks, demonstrates the impact of well-designed walking infrastructure. Business sales have increased by 10% in just one year in these areas, with a significant uptick in pedestrian activity. This has occurred alongside a decrease in automobile traffic and a reduction in Quebecers falling short of their daily recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.

Population Density: Long Walks Are PossibleIt's a common misconception that a higher population density is required for walking infrastructure to be viable. A Statistics Canada study reveals that around 70% of Canadians live within a 1.5 km or less walking distance from a primary school, and nearly 46% reside within 1 km of a grocery store. Therefore, walking remains an achievable option. However, a lack of infrastructure can discourage its use.

Main Streets: Time for an UpgradeIn many Quebec municipalities, the primary street—often the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD)—fails to prioritize walking infrastructure. Unfortunately, this means that streets vital to the community often lack sidewalks. "It's mind-boggling that the MTMD pays for road repairs but not for sidewalks," Pineau-Lemieux says. "A main street without sidewalks in a village should not exist in 2025."

The Safety of Our Kids Is at StakeThe lack of pedestrian amenities and the increase in automobile traffic are seen as barriers to active transportation by Ann-Julie Rheaume, a Quebec citizen and co-organizer of the "Not One More Death" movement. "The feeling of safety comes with the amenities. In a single generation, we've gone from 80% of youth walking to school to 20%. That's nonsensical. It's their autonomy, their socialization. Active transportation to school fosters academic success. The ministry talks about sustainable mobility, but with 52 million for the entire Quebec, we don't feel it in our budget."

Revised Enrichment Data:

While the specific study mentioned from the American Journal of Epidemiology could not be found, related research, particularly the 2025 intervention study in the American Journal of Public Health and recent urban planning analyses, highlights clear public health benefits of walkable infrastructure investments:

  1. Physical Activity Boost: Enhanced walkability boosts both natural physical activity and physical activity in designated areas for exercise, reducing risks associated with sedentary behaviors like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
  2. Cardiometabolic Health Progress: Improved transportation self-efficacy through enhanced walkability has been linked to better cardiometabolic outcomes, suggesting long-term prevention of chronic diseases, especially in children and adolescents.
  3. Mental and Social Wellbeing: Walkable neighborhoods with well-designed public spaces and increased green spaces are associated with reduced stress levels and better mental health, leading to enhanced overall wellbeing.
  4. Health Equity: Equitable access to walkable infrastructure fosters increased physical activity participation, helping to eliminate socioeconomic disparities in healthcare utilization and public health outcomes.
  5. Environmental Co-Benefits: Reduced reliance on motorized transport due to walkability results in decreased air pollution, indirectly lowering respiratory disease risks and promoting sustainable urban development.
  6. The French translation of 'walkability' is 'piétonnabilité', a concept gaining traction in urban planning circles across Europe.
  7. Quebec's VivaCité corridors, with their focus on fitness-and-exercise, are testament to the positive impact of environmental-science in promoting healthy living.
  8. As more and more Quebecers adopt sustainable-living practices, the demand for business that cater to health-and-wellness is escalating.
  9. The growing embracement of healthy-diets and personal-finance management in the workplace-wellness industry is transforming the Canadian work culture.
  10. Science demonstrates a correlation between climate-change and mental-health issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing both challenges together.
  11. Environmentalists advocate for investing in energy-efficient cars to combat climate-change, while promoting a lifestyle that reduces carbon footprint.
  12. Family-dynamics can be significantly influenced by education-and-self-development, including personal-growth, which in turn can affect the quality of shopping experiences.
  13. Skills-training in culinary arts, a vital part of cooking, can equip people with the necessary skills for healthy-cooking.
  14. The rise of nutritional sciences has led to the popularity of organic food-and-drink options in grocery stores, symbolizing a shift in consumer preference towards sustainable living.
  15. Effective car-maintenance is crucial for sustainable living, making electric-vehicles a viable option for those seeking environment-friendly transportation.
  16. Career-development in data-and-cloud-computing can lead to innovations in weather-forecasting, helping us adapt to climate-change.
  17. Digital technologies, from smartphones to smart homes, are transforming the way we manage our personal-finance and engage in home-and-garden activities.
  18. The increasing use of CBD products in mental-health treatments highlights the integration of alternative therapies into mainstream medicine, encouraged by factual data and scientific evidence.
  19. The promotion of sports and athletic activities is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, drawing connections between golf, tennis, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, mixed-martial-arts, racing, and American football.
  20. Sports-betting, a growing industry, requires an understanding of sports-analysis, ensuring responsible and informed practices inspired by a passion for weather-forecasting.
  21. Building sustainable infrastructure, such as side walks and bike paths, encourages green and healthy lifestyles, benefiting the overall trend towards sustainable-living.
  22. Businesses that prioritize environmental health and sustainable practices often enjoy better relationships with their customers and partners, fostering growth in the market.
  23. Improved walkability in cities enables travel options beyond cars, reducing carbon emissions and promoting a greener lifestyle.
  24. Global initiatives promoting sustainable-living, including the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, inspire nations to address climate-change and prioritize healthy diets and lifestyles.
  25. Relationships with family, friends, and community play a crucial role in personal-growth, especially in relation to sports participation and sharing knowledge about environmental-science.
  26. Technology advancements in the field of fitness-and-exercise are revolutionizing the way we approach health-and-wellness, leading to the development of smart wearables and home gyms.
  27. Investing in renewable energy sources and environmentally-friendly practices contributes to the growth of personal-finance as a way to combat climate-change.
  28. Support for mental-health awareness and self-development is growing, bringing about increased demand for workshops, seminars, and coaching services in fields like personal-growth, motivation, and self-help.
  29. Statistics Canada data reveals that a majority of Canadians live in walking distance of essential amenities, highlighting the feasibility of walkable communities in urban and rural areas alike.
  30. Efforts to improve walkability, such as widening sidewalks, have been linked to positive changes in local small businesses and community engagement.
  31. The importance of ensuring accessible and safe transportation options, including walking, bicycling, and public transit, becomes increasingly evident when considering the impacts on relationships, mental-health, and overall lifestyle.
Expansion of walking-friendly amenities boosts active commuting, claims a recent research. A Quebec resident expresses disappointment over the prioritization of highway widening over pedestrian safety within residential areas.
Expansion of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, like sidewalks, boosts active transportation usage, finds recent research. Yet, in Quebec, there's a shortage of funds to secure pedestrian safety within local communities, as one local resident deplores, citing highway widening projects instead.
Expansion of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including sidewalks, fuels increased active transportation, suggests a recent study. In Quebec, however, resources are directed towards highway expansions rather than ensuring safe walking paths in local communities, bemoans a local resident.

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