Walking
can be a pleasurable activity that enhances the health of individuals,
communities, and the environment. It is transportation
without pollution. It reduces stress while improving heart
and bone health. It gives people a chance to get to know
their neighbors. It provides independence and mobility for
our children and elders.
Unfortunately, people often
find they cannot walk where they want to because there is no place for
pedestrians, or it does not feel safe.
WPC believes that walking must be safe, so we advocate for:
- safer crosswalks
- sidewalks separating pedestrians from traffic
- laws to keep pedestrians safer
- police enforcement of traffic laws
WPC believes that walking should get you there, so we advocate for:
- construction of sidewalks and paths where none exist
- elimination of the gaps where sidewalks are missing
- routes that go through instead of hitting dead ends
- curb ramps to ensure accessibility for all citizens
WPC believes that walkable communities require careful design, so we
advocate for:
- neighborhoods with a mix of activities so that trips can be
short
- buildings close to the sidewalks, with entrances facing the
street
- streets with trees and generous sidewalk width
WPC believes that streets shared by pedestrians and others are the best
streets, so we:
- support educational efforts to share the road
- undertake Pedestrian Actions so that drivers remember we
are here!
To
learn more about our work, follow these links:
Advocacy - working for changes to improve the pedestrian environment
Projects - initiatives such as Safe Routes to School and walking maps
Events - enforcement actions, pedestrian gatherings, meetings
Partnerships - other groups that we work with
Newsletter - past issues of our newsletter *footnote
WPC
on KBOO
Thursday, January 31,
Willamette
Pedestrian Coalition President Mike Dennis and WPC director Lynn Lindgren-Schreuder joined Kate Welch to discuss how
walking is another step we can all take to combat global warming. Lynn, Mike
and Kate discussed:
• Willamette
Pedestrian Coalition’s
role in the community
• Laws that protect pedestrians
• Exciting things that are happening in the community
for pedestrians
If you would like a copy of the interview please contact WPC and we will send you the file.
