Walking isn't just good for you — it's good for the economy

[redsonic]

Not a cycling article, but one discussing how the built environment affects people's transport modes and has massive trickle down effects on the economy.

ABC News

...walking isn't just good for your physical and mental health; it's also good for the economy.

And we're talking billions.

Aside from savings to the public health system, urban planners and economic analysts argue that the more "walkable" your community is, the more economically viable it is...
...Just 30 minutes of walking a day can "reduce your risk of heart disease by about 35 per cent", says the National Heart Foundation's Trevor Shilton.

"Chronic disease is prevalent in car-dominated environments as opposed to pedestrian environments, which are very people-friendly, which encourage people to walk and talk, and be part of the city.

"It's quite evident [that] the design of the city, and walkability, actually produces healthier outcomes in the community."

The article talks about how Melbourne CBD is cited as a good example of design and how concerted efforts have been made to promote walkability.



Nothing radical here, but good to see some of our urban designers are thinking of these things and communicating this to the media and (hopefully) to our politicians.

(Edited to add the link)

[human909]

Pessimistic me here. (As opposed to optimistic me, sometimes seen posting)

Nothing radical here, but good to see some of our urban designers are thinking of these things and communicating this to the media and (hopefully) to our politicians.

It really is a message that is struggling to reach politicians. I see new developments growing as usual and nothing changing in most or our urban areas. Australians are mostly too wedded with their cars.

There are some bright spots, and they are spreading. (The optimistic me) But the rot continues unabated in our urban fringe which is where most of the growth is occurring.

Inner Melbourne is certainly achieving things and it will spread to some degree. But those achievement as largely ignored or even fought against by the majority of state politicians.

Here's hoping this also occurs:

VICTORIA VOTES
It's time to swap car parks for bike lanes on Sydney Road

[ironhanglider]

Douglas Adams made a number of astute observations in his various books.

On point an alien came to earth and wanted to fit in with the inhabitants. He chose the name Ford Prefect because he mistook which was the dominant life form on earth. (The books were written a while ago, and for the younger readers the Ford Prefect was a model of car)


Cheers,

Cameron

[Tamiya]

Douglas Adams made a number of astute observations in his various books.

On point an alien came to earth and wanted to fit in with the inhabitants. He chose the name Ford Prefect because he mistook which was the dominant life form on earth. (The books were written a while ago, and for the younger readers the Ford Prefect was a model of car)

He be English too, guv! You'd be knowing your Anglias, Escorts, Capris & Cortinas!

Them yanks who like their tanks like Falcon, Galaxy & Thunderbird wouldn't have a clue what these blue ovals were.

[fat and old]

Here's hoping this also occurs:

VICTORIA VOTES
It's time to swap car parks for bike lanes on Sydney Road

I hadn't seen that interview, and must say I was pleasantly surprised

Dr Read argues the opposite, saying although some businesses might be disadvantaged, removing car park spaces would improve the aesthetics of Sydney Road and potentially improve economic activity.

Some real honesty there. Might be disadvantaged, potentially improve. That man has my vote now!

[antigee]

Urban designers need to keep banging the drum on this one - people who want change need the ammunition to argue it out with politicians who still believe that their vote into power demands that they have to listen to those that believe that car driving (and parking) should be overly convenient to the detriment of alternatives.....

June 2018 "Andrews, Guy give thumbs down to Capp's 'ridiculous' CBD traffic plan "

...............Pedestrians would be given priority in Melbourne’s CBD, with the council considering drastic changes including increasing the time pedestrians have to cross at junctions, cutting the speed limit to 30kmh, reducing on-street parking and making fewer streets open to two-way traffic.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/vict ... 4zmtr.html

meanwhile out in the suburbs a comment following the sad death of an 8 year old girl earlier this week ......

.....'He and his wife never let their children cross the road alone because of the speed at which cars come down the hills that lead to the dip where the girl was killed.

“Even just to take them to athletics 200 metres away we would drive them.”.......'

https://www.smh.com.au/national/victori ... 50j15.html

[antigee]

and from London earlier this month:

"Better cycling & walking infrastructure boosts business, TfL study finds

....Improving cycling and walking infrastructure can increase spending in shops by up to 30%, according to a report published today by Transport for London (TfL). The research found that people walking, cycling and using public transport spend 40% more each month than car drivers.

Some 45% of high street visits are for “social and community reasons” while improving streets for cycling and walking led to a 216% increase in “people stopping, sitting and socialising”, said the study...."

https://www.transportxtra.com/publicati ... udy-finds/