New Toolkit – Safer Walking and Cycling

As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week kicked off around the world under the theme “ Make walking and cycling safe,” the World Health Organization (WHO) launched  a new toolkit to help governments promote active mobility – by making it safer .

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 0.2% of the roads worldwide are equipped with cycle lanes, and far too many communities lack basics like sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings.

“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 Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “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. 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.