Walking and cycling are good for our health, good for communities and good for the planet. Yet even today, more than one pedestrian or cyclist is killed every two minutes in a crash on the world’s roads.
More than a quarter of the nearly 1.2 million annual road deaths occur among people moving on foot or by bicycle. The risk is remarkably high in low and middle-income countries, where millions face huge risks each day as they walk to work or school on streets with no sidewalks, and no safe places to cross busy roads. Just a tiny fraction of the world’s roads - far less than 1% - have safe cycle lanes.
The danger to these vulnerable road users is rising in many regions. Between 2011 and 2021 pedestrian deaths increased by 42% in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Fatalities among cyclists rose by 50% in the European Region and surged up by 88% in the WHO Western Pacific Region.
We need urgent action to make walking and cycling safe, and to succeed our efforts must be part of the tried, tested and proven ‘safe system’ approach to road safety. This takes a holistic approach to designing transport systems and makes human life- and human safety - the priority.
The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, produced by the World Health Organization, is a blueprint for governments to meet the global goal of halving road deaths by 2030.
If we walk this path, we will prevent millions of deaths and injuries. We will also unlock a treasure trove of knock-on benefits for health, life and sustainable development around the world.
Every step and cycle ride helps reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It helps curb air pollution, reduce traffic congestion and helps fight climate change.
Similarly, designing cities around sustainable transport- with cycle lanes, pedestrian zones, and accessible public transport - strengthens communities by making spaces safer and more liveable.
Safe, active and affordable mobility also breaks down barriers to jobs, schools and opportunities. This helps ensure that everyone in society has a fair chance of reaching their potential.
Road deaths cost countries up to 5% of GDP. Yet safe roads drive economies. Walking and cycling can increase retail sales, boost property values, advance employment and tourism and ensure more people can move safely to their jobs, schools and services.
When walking and cycling are safe, more people choose these healthy, green ways of moving around.
Yet despite this, less than one third of countries have national policies to promote walking and cycling.
This week marks the 8th Global UN Road Safety Week, with the theme of ‘make walking and cycling safe.’ WHO is issuing a new toolkit to help governments do this with guidance on areas such as integrating walking and cycling into relevant policy areas, safe infrastructure and safe speed limits.
Hundreds of events are taking place around the world this week. Marches, open streets and pop-up cycle lanes are planned in Uganda, Tanzania, Brazil, Peru, Kyrgyzstan, Zambia and Moldova to name a few. Australia’s Sydney Harbour Bridge and National Parliament will be lit up to remember road traffic victims. The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety is mobilizing 400 organizations in 100 countries.
This is a growing global movement for change, and we must all go further and faster together. We need a step change in political will from leaders the world over, a renewed sense of urgency and evidenced-based strategies that are fully implemented with strong coordination and sufficient funds.
Safe roads are a right, not a luxury.
When we walk or cycle safely, the world moves forward with us.