The “walkability” of a neighborhood is a factor that is increasingly taken into account by prospective home buyers and real estate agents. Some websites will provide a “score” as to how “walkable” a certain address or neighborhood is. This score translates into the number of parks, restaurants, grocery stores, and other amenities that are within walking distance.
Putting an emphasis on walking from one’s home in order to run errands or seek entertainment is not only good for the environment, but it is also good exercise. A world where car trips are reduced seems idyllic … less pollution, less traffic on the roadways, and as a result, fewer automobile accidents.
One factor to consider if you would like to transition to a walking neighborhood is pedestrian safety. Sidewalks, good lighting, bike lanes, and lower speed limits should be present when considering the safety of a walking route. Other ways to increase pedestrian safety can be implemented personally by the walker; they include bright or reflective clothing and keeping the volume of any headphones down in order to hear approaching vehicles.
Even with all the safety factors in place, accidents can still happen. The personal injuries suffered by a pedestrian vs. automobile accident can be devastating, so an emphasis on safety and avoiding such accidents is key.
