Blog

For George Floyd and So Many Others, How Can We Do Better?

Walking, moving, occupying our cities, neighborhoods, public spaces and streets without death or fear of death is a basic human right. Anything less is unacceptable. We can talk about the myriad of ways that walking intersects with what is happening in our streets right now. George Floyd was walking when officers led him onto the sidewalk before … Continue reading For George Floyd and So Many Others, How Can We Do Better? →

Austin Reclaims its Public Space With “Healthy Streets”

This is a guest blog post by Gabe Colombo, an urban design intern at Black + Vernooy Architecture and Urban Design in Austin and a master’s student in architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. People love taking back their streets. The city of Bogotá, Colombia, has been closing its streets to automobile traffic … Continue reading Austin Reclaims its Public Space With “Healthy Streets” →

World Walking: Your virtual ticket to some of the greatest places on Earth

  This is a guest blog post by Duncan Galbraith, founder of World Walking.  On December 30, 2019, an inspirational group from Oceanside, Long Island, New York, led by Assistant Superintendent, Diane Provvido, became the first school district in the USA to walk all 48 contiguous US states; an epic virtual journey of 13,400 miles … Continue reading World Walking: Your virtual ticket to some of the greatest places on Earth →

Making Meaning and Finding Solutions for a Better Future and 5 Tips for Sparking Walkable Community Change

This blog was written by Kate Kraft, America Walks’ Executive Director. Kate provides seamless leadership and years of experience within the walking and active living movements to build prestigious partnerships, develop programs, and expand the walking movement. Kate is an expert in environmental and policy approaches to promote healthy lifestyles/built environments and is a spokesperson … Continue reading Making Meaning and Finding Solutions for a Better Future and 5 Tips for Sparking Walkable Community Change →

Walking, Moving and Jogging Should Never Cost a Life – America Walks Statement on Ahmaud Arbery

The Ahmaud Arbery killing is a tragic reminder that for many it’s not just automobiles that make streets unsafe. As walkable community leaders and advocates we must acknowledge the traumatic ways that black, indigenous, and/or people of color are experiencing the public right of way and make sure our voices and recommendations acknowledge the structural racism that … Continue reading Walking, Moving and Jogging Should Never Cost a Life – America Walks Statement on Ahmaud Arbery →

America Walks Announces Class of 2020 Walking College Fellows

We are thrilled to announce the names of the 25 local advocates who will receive Fellowships to participate in the America Walks’ Walking College program. This was our most competitive application process to date and we received more than 140 applications. In these challenging times, people-first  design, walkability, and the equity issues that follow, have … Continue reading America Walks Announces Class of 2020 Walking College Fellows →

Physical Activity Can Be Helpful in the Coronavirus Pandemic

This is a guest blog by James F. Sallis, a health psychologist, and Michael Pratt, a preventive medicine physician at UC San Diego. Both have spent their careers researching physical activity and advocating for greater efforts to help people be active. As they cover the scientific validations for why moving and walking is critical in … Continue reading Physical Activity Can Be Helpful in the Coronavirus Pandemic →

New Rules for Social Distancing While Walking

This is a guest blog post by Jen Udler of Positive Strides Therapy. Jennifer is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland. She has 20 years of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults.  She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and supportive counseling.   As a walk-and-talk therapist, I continue to walk and move with my … Continue reading New Rules for Social Distancing While Walking →

Bringing Back “Automatic Pedestrian Recall”: How Coronavirus Might Make Walking Easier in the Future

This blog was written by Ian Thomas, America Walks’ State and Local Program Director. Ian is a veteran of the walkable communities movement – he co-founded the PedNet Coalition of Columbia MO, served on the America Walks Board of Directors for seven years until his appointment as our State and Local Program Director in 2014, … Continue reading Bringing Back “Automatic Pedestrian Recall”: How Coronavirus Might Make Walking Easier in the Future →

Managing the Uncertainty of the COVID-19 Outbreak through Walking

Make no mistake- managing the uncertainty of the COVID 19 outbreak will require intentional effort and planning. We have suddenly entered a society that looks dramatically different from just a week ago and is unlike anything that (most of us) have experienced before. The constant media reporting of new cases and shifting circumstances, statewide school … Continue reading Managing the Uncertainty of the COVID-19 Outbreak through Walking →