WHO launches toolkit to promote safer walking and cycling

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global toolkit to help governments make walking and cycling safer, as the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week kicks off under the theme “Make Walking and Cycling Safe.”

In a statement, WHO noted that each year, nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on the roads, more than a quarter of them while walking or cycling. Yet, only 0.2pc of the roads worldwide are equipped with cycle lanes, and far too many communities lack basics like sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings.

While acknowledging the importance of walking and cycling, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus,  underscored the need to make it safer to walk and cycle.

“Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable. Every step and every ride help to cut congestion, air pollution and disease,” said Dr Tedros “But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.”

Despite their benefits, fewer than one-third of countries have national policies to promote walking and cycling.

The toolkit provides practical, evidence-based guidance for policymakers, urban planners, health advocates, and civil society to promote active mobility by creating safer streets and infrastructure.

WHO’s new toolkit aims to fill that gap with practical, evidence-based guidance for policymakers, urban planners, health advocates and civil society. The toolkit calls for bold action including: Integrating walking and cycling into transport, health, environmental and education policies; building safe infrastructure like sidewalks, crossings and protected cycle lanes; setting and enforcing safer speed limits aligned with global best practices; promoting safe road use through public awareness and behaviour change campaigns; and using financial incentives to encourage active mobility.

While global pedestrian deaths dropped slightly and cyclist deaths plateaued between 2011 and 2021, regional trends show growing danger.

Cyclist deaths rose by 88pc in the Western Pacific Region, 50pc in Europe, and pedestrian deaths jumped 42pc in South-East Asia.

WHO and its partners, including the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, are using this week to call for urgent, cross-sector action to protect vulnerable road users and promote sustainable, healthy transport.

“It is urgent to make, what should be our most natural means of transport, safer. This is paramount for road safety, but also health, equity and climate,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Social Determinants of Health. “We’re calling on all sectors transport, health, education and beyond to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone.”