As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week kicks off around the world under the theme, “Make Walking and Cycling Safe,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a new toolkit to help governments promote active mobility by making it safer.
This is just as the global health organisation said that walking and cycling would enhance health and make cities more sustainable.
According to WHO each year, nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on the roads, more than a quarter of them while walking or cycling. Yet, only 0.2 per cent of the roads worldwide are equipped with cycle lanes, and far too many communities lack basics like sidewalks or safe pedestrian crossings.
Speaking on the issue WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said, “Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable. Every step and every ride help to cut congestion, air pollution and disease.”
“But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options,” he added.
The world health body stated that despite their benefits, fewer than one-third of countries have national policies to promote walking and cycling.
WHO said that its new toolkit aims to fill that gap with practical, evidence-based guidance for policymakers, urban planners, health advocates and civil society, adding that the toolkit calls for bold action including:
* Integrating walking and cycling into transport, health, environmental and education policies;
* Building safe infrastructure like sidewalks, crossings and protected cycle lanes.
* Setting and enforcing safer speed limits aligned with global best practices.
* Promoting safe road use through public awareness and behaviour change campaigns; and
using financial incentives to encourage active mobility.
WHO noted that while global pedestrian deaths dropped slightly and cyclist deaths plateaued between 2011 and 2021, regional trends show growing danger:
In the WHO South-East Asia Region, pedestrian deaths rose by 42 per cent.
In the European Region, cyclist deaths surged by 50 per cent
In the Western Pacific Region, cyclist deaths soared by 88 per cent.
This week, WHO joins hundreds of organisations and governments worldwide to demand urgent action on road safety.
The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety is mobilising over 400 member organisations in 100 countries to support the campaign.
“It is urgent to make, what should be our most natural means of transport, safer. This is paramount for road safety, but also health, equity and climate,” said the Director of the WHO Department for the Social Determinants of Health, Etienne Krug.
“We’re calling on all sectors: transport, health, education and beyond to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone,” Krug said.
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