Spring into Action for Better Walking and Biking in Your Community

Spring is here! Warmer weather means getting outside to take a walk and tuning up the bike for a ride.

In too many communities, though, people can’t safely walk to where they need or want to go due to a lack of sidewalks, crosswalks or other safety features that make streets safe for pedestrians and drivers. In addition, many communities also do not have safety features in place on streets and paths for all users, including cyclists.

That is why AARP developed the Walk Audit Toolkit and the Bike Audit Tool Kit.

Anyone can download and use these free tools to assess and report on the safety of a street, intersection or neighborhood for walking and biking — and inspire needed change. The results of a community walk audit or bike audit can educate local decision-makers and provide them with the needed data, solutions and strategies for achieving change to build a more livable community.

Put simply, a bike or walk audit is an easy activity in which an individual or a team observes and evaluates a location – or locations – in a community to see how pedestrians and bicyclists can safely travel along a street, navigate an intersection and get from point A to B, and so on.

You don’t have to be a city planner or transportation expert – anyone can lead a walk audit or bike audit! These tools can be used by local leaders, advocates, community organizations and residents to …

• inspire the development of pedestrian- and bike-friendly streets
• gather input about community infrastructure needs
• help reduce traffic congestion and pollution
• educate residents about street design elements that support safety
• increase exercise opportunities for people of all ages
• encourage social interactions among neighbors
• enable people to get around without having to drive
• give a boost to property values
• empower community leaders and residents to be the agents of needed change

The tool kits provide step-by-step instructions and checklists for examining intersections, sidewalks, driver behavior, public safety and more. These activities can take as little or as much time as desired. For example, you can spend 15 minutes at one busy corner or devote several hours to documenting several roadways in a neighborhood.

Download the Walk Audit Toolkit.
Download the Bike Audit Toolkit.

If you would like more information on how to get started in your South Dakota community, reach out to AARP South Dakota at sdaarp@aarp.org.