The Challenge of Bringing Walkability to America's 99 Percent

Kaid Benfield proposes not only more walkable neighborhoods in the United States, where a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle every 7 minutes, but also more walking to reverse the country's alarming obesity trend.

2 minute read

January 17, 2013, 9:00 AM PST

By Jessica Hsu


In Woodbridge, Virginia, U.S. Route 1 looks like just another stretch of road in the country, says Benfield, but "[w]hat you don't see are any but the crudest accommodations for walking." The lack of crosswalks, sidewalks and traffic signals makes this corridor especially dangerous for pedestrians, and those who are hit by drivers are found at fault for "interfering with traffic" under Virginia law. Jay Mallin's Interfering with Traffic documents two men hit by vehicles while trying to cross the road on separate incidents near Route 1. They were charged for interfering with traffic, whereas the drivers were not charged at all. An even worse situation happened in Atlanta in 2011, where a single mother was convicted of homicide after her four-year-old son was killed by a driver under the influence.

"Even if you're not killed or injured, you can't help but find much of suburban American inhospitable to walking," laments Benfield. 13 percent of American children walked to school in 2006, compared to 60 percent in 1973. Laguna Beach refused to participate in International Walk to School Day, and in Montgomery County, Maryland, the local Department of Transportation denied parents' request for a crosswalk because "the safest way is to have them bused to school." Benfield asks, "If walking is no longer safe and convenient in relatively upscale Saratoga Springs and Laguna Beach, how are we going to fix a suburbanizing place whose residents may struggle to afford cars and arguably are even more in need of good alternatives? "

Jeff Speck's Walkable City offers a good start with his "ten steps of walkability" for urban environments, but many areas like the U.S. Route 1 in Woodbridge "are not the kind of prosperous communities where change can occur rapidly and with the degree of investment necessary to do it right." Although an approach still needs to be developed for these places, says Benfield, its imperative that Americans start walking more to reduce obesity and associated risks like heart disease, diabetes and premature death.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 in NRDC Switchboard

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

2 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

3 hours ago - CNU Public Square

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.