Transit-Walkability Collaborative Established

America Walks announced today the formation of the Transit-Walkability Collaborative, whose purpose is to expand safe, healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities by harnessing the synergy between walkability and quality public transit service.

The Transit-Walkability Collaborative notes that integrating walkability and public transit helps to create safe, affordable, and enjoyable neighborhoods, whose residents complete their daily activities while owning fewer vehicles and driving less often. These communities experience significant public and private-sector cost savings, lower rates of traffic fatalities, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, higher levels of physical activity, and a better quality of life—especially for low-income families.

"Walkability and transit advocacy complement each other and accomplish common goals neither can achieve on its own," said Ian Thomas, State and Local Program Director with America Walks and coordinator of the Collaborative. "By ensuring a high level of service for both walking and public transport, we stimulate mutually-reinforcing community benefits that help address a range of social problems – from health to economics to quality of life."

According to America Walks Executive Director Kate Kraft, “Our shared goals are to improve public health, safety, and transportation equity,” she said, "by developing complementary planning efforts, increasing funding for active and public transportation, and supporting transit-oriented development that is designed to benefit existing residents and neighborhoods."

Several upcoming events are being planned to explore the alignment of walkability and transit campaigns.