Walking and Cycling International Literature Review - Department of ...

SUMMARY
3.1 Community or urban design including gross population
density, street pattern, and accessible destinations are important
in creating a walkable environment.
3.2 While distance is very important for pedestrians, on average
they will walk further than the anecdotal rule of thumb of 400
meters used in many planning applications.
3.3. The relationship between pedestrian infrastructure
(particularly sidewalks) and walking is complicated. There are
many reasons to provide such facilities and, if designed to be
adequate for such motorized equipment as gophers and
Segways, they will likely be adequate for pedestrians.
3.4 Perception of infrastructure is important in walking but it is
not clearly related to actual provision. That is providing more
infrastructure may not in itself change perceptions. It is important
to understand better how marketing and educational programs
can be used to modify people’s perceptions of walkability.
3.5 Separated bicycle facilities are particularly troublesome in
intersections involving automobile traffi c and do not necessarily
appear to be safer.
3.6 Separated bicycle facilities and related treatments lead to the
perception of increased safety on behalf of the many cyclists.
3.7 Intersections are critical pinch points for cyclists and detailed
treatments increase cyclists’ comfort in navigating them.
3.8 Bicycle loan programs may have an impact in or close to
urban core areas, where they are usually available, though scant
evaluation precludes any conclusions at this point.
WALKING AND CYCLING LITERATURE REVIEW FINAL REPORT 29