Safer walking and cycling crucial for road safety and better health

As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week takes place from 12 to 18 May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has introduced a new toolkit aimed at assisting governments in promoting active mobility, with the theme "Make walking and cycling safe". 

Each year, nearly 1.2 million people die on the roads, with more than a quarter of these deaths involving pedestrians or cyclists. Yet, only 0.2% of global roads have dedicated cycle lanes, and many communities still lack basic infrastructure like sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. 

"Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable. But we must make walking and cycling safe," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 

Fewer than one-third of countries have national policies to support walking and cycling. WHO's new toolkit offers practical, evidence-based guidance for governments, urban planners, and civil society, calling for: 

• Integrating walking and cycling into national transport, health, and education policies; 

• Building safe infrastructure such as sidewalks and protected cycle lanes; 

• Enforcing safer speed limits; 

• Promoting awareness and safe road use; and 

• Using financial incentives to encourage active mobility.

While global pedestrian deaths declined slightly and cyclist deaths plateaued between 2011 and 2021, regional data shows rising risks. Pedestrian deaths increased by 42% in South-East Asia, and cyclist deaths rose by 50% in Europe and 88% in the Western Pacific. 

WHO is partnering with over 400 organisations in 100 countries this week to demand safer streets. "We are calling on all sectors to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone," said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Social Determinants of Health. 

Source: World Health Organisation