Sidewalks and safe crossings make everyday movement easier. Canadian research shows that people living in the most walkable neighbourhoods are physically active for almost 15 minutes more each day than those in low‑walkability areas. Those extra minutes amount to two‑thirds of the weekly activity needed to maintain good health and are linked to lower rates of chronic disease.

For children, walking or biking to school boosts cardiorespiratory fitness, fosters independence, improves mental health and social skills, and even enhances school performance. Yet car culture starts early: despite most students living near their schools, 74 % travel by motorized transport while only 22 % walk. Providing safe sidewalks and crossings helps more families choose active travel.

People are more likely to walk or bike when they feel protected from traffic. Sidewalks provide a space separated from moving vehicles, improving safety and comfort for people walking or rolling.

Lighting, high‑visibility crosswalks and flashing beacons dramatically reduce injury risk: in 2018, 76 % of U.S. pedestrian fatalities occurred in dark conditions, and studies show that intersection lighting can reduce injury crashes by 27 %, while high‑visibility crosswalks and rapid‑flashing beacons increase driver yielding and visibility.

Trees, scenery, traffic‑calming measures and physically separated paths also encourage walking and cycling by making routes more pleasant and secure.

Sidewalks aren’t just about getting from A to B – they connect people. Walkable streets support casual social interactions, help children develop independence, and encourage neighbours to know each other. They also make towns more inclusive: 20–40 % of people don’t drive because of income, age or ability, so safe walking and rolling routes ensure everyone can reach jobs, schools and services.

Families with one car are more likely to have children who walk to school (30 %) than families with multiple cars (19 %), illustrating how car culture shapes habits. Providing sidewalks and crossings offers a real alternative and helps the next generation grow up with active, climate‑aware lifestyles.

While the human impacts are paramount, shifting short trips from cars to feet or pedals also fights climate change. Short car trips in the U.S. add up to about 10 billion miles per year, and replacing half of those trips with walking or biking would save around 2 million tonnes of CO₂ – the equivalent of taking about 400 000 cars off the road.

Globally, cycling one kilometre emits only 16–50 g CO₂‑eq, and using a bike instead of a car for short trips cuts travel emissions by roughly 75 %.

Walkable, transit‑supportive neighbourhoods also reduce overall driving by 20–40 %, with residents of the most walkable areas driving 26 % less often.