Active Communities work to improve the health and quality of life for Washington’s citizens by improving and increasing opportunities to be physically active. This includes creating places where people of all ages and abilities can easily enjoy walking and bicycling. They also: - Have sidewalks, on-street bicycle facilities, multi-use paths and trails, parks, open space, and recreational facilities
- Encourage mixed-use development and a connected grid of streets, allowing homes, businesses, schools, and stores to be close together and accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists
- Denser urban centers
Walking and Physical Activity
If you want to feel great, have more energy and improve your overall health, take a walk. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and you can do it almost anywhere, anytime, and for free.
The generally recognized health benefits of walking regularly are far-reaching:
- Reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases
- Reduced stress
- Weight control
- Muscle tone
- Cardio fitness
Walking for exercise does not need to be strenuous to produce results. Even walking for 30 minutes a day, has been reported to produce measurable benefits, even among those who are least
active.
Physical Activity and the Benefits of Walking
Travel by Foot: Carpools, Vanpools, Ferries, Buses and More
Walking is an ideal form of commuting to and from work. If you live too far to walk all the way, try walking to the bus stop or walk to meet your carpool partner.
Research and Resources for Active Communities