Whether we think about it or not, every time we go somewhere, the trip starts with a walk or roll. With several pedestrian-first plans and policies, Halifax is working to make walking and rolling comfortable and convenient for people of all ages and abilities.
Benefits of Walking
Adding Physical Activity To Your Day
It can sometimes be difficult to incorporate movement into our days when life gets busy. Walking where you need to go allows you to incorporate physical activity into your schedule without having to set aside time for exercising. The exercise you get from walking can be good for both your physical and mental health.
Save Money, Save Time
Walking and rolling can be some of the lowest-cost options for getting around in Halifax compared to owning and driving a vehicle daily, which can cost you over $9000 per year. If you have the option to walk or roll for some of your daily trips, you can save money on gas, insurance, maintenance, and more. Depending on how far you’re going, walking and rolling could also save you time that you might spend sitting in traffic or looking for a parking spot.
Connect with Others and Community
When you walk or roll, you get a whole different view of your community. It can give you the opportunity to get to know your neighbourhood better and interact with people you meet on the street - something you don’t get when driving in a vehicle.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Many of the trips that people take in their day-to-day lives are under 3 KM. By choosing walking, rolling, or another form of active transportation for those shorter trips, people can greatly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted from travelling in vehicles.
Where to Walk and Roll
Depending on where you live in Halifax, where you can walk and roll may look different. To help you plan your route, check out our Roadworks Map. It shows all disruptions to the sidewalk network due to road work or construction projects.
Improving the Walking and Rolling Experience
While improvements to the pedestrian realm are often included in many road works projects, the municipality is delivering strategic projects to improve the safety, convenience, and comfort of walking and rolling on streets and sidewalks in Halifax.
The Street Improvement Pilot Project program uses temporary materials like paint, bollards, and concrete curbs to create more space for people walking and rolling and reduce the potential for conflicts with motor vehicles. These projects used temporary materials so that new ideas can be tested before making permanent changes.