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A Global Crisis on Two Feet (or Two Wheels)

Walking and cycling are the backbone of sustainable cities. Yet around the world, they’re still treated like an afterthought. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1.2 million people die on roads each year — and one in four of them is a pedestrian or cyclist. Shockingly, only 0.2% of global roads have proper bike lanes. Basic infrastructure like sidewalks or pedestrian crossings remains rare in many cities.

This isn’t just a numbers game. These are real people — many of them young — who left home and never returned.

The problem is global, but it doesn’t look the same everywhere. Data from 2011-2021 show a sharp increase in pedestrian deaths in Southeast Asia – up 42 percent.

In Europe, deaths among cyclists increased by half, and in the Western Pacific region, they nearly doubled, rising as much as 88 percent. These aren’t just numbers – they’re stories of people who just got out of the house.

For many, walking or biking is not a lifestyle choice, but the only option — often in cities built to prioritize cars, not people.

WHO’s New Toolkit: A Game Changer?

Walking and biking are good for your health, your wallet, and the planet. They reduce air pollution, cut carbon emissions, and promote mental and physical wellbeing. But according to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, they must first become safe.

The challenge? Too few countries are doing enough. Fewer than one-third of governments actively promote walking or cycling. What’s missing is a clear, integrated approach — one that connects public health, urban planning, transportation, and climate goals.

To help cities and governments turn things around, the WHO has just released a comprehensive toolkit for promoting safe and inclusive active mobility. The guide focuses on five key pillars:

  1. Cross-Sector Collaboration: Walking and cycling need to be included in transport, health, environment, and education strategies. Real impact requires joined-up thinking.
  2. Infrastructure That Saves Lives: Sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and safe crossings aren’t luxuries — they’re life-saving necessities.
  3. Laws That Protect People: Cities should adopt and enforce speed limits and urban planning rules that prioritize people over cars.
  4. Smart Public Campaigns: Awareness matters. WHO encourages campaigns that show how walking and cycling can improve both personal health and the planet.
  5. Financial Incentives: Governments should support low-income and rural communities by funding access to bikes or improving walking conditions in underserved areas.

A Global Movement for Safer Streets

During the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, WHO joined forces with over 400 organisations from 100 countries through the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety. The goal: urgently reimagine urban mobility.

As Etienne Krug, WHO’s Director of Social Determinants of Health, put it:

“It’s time to make the most natural form of transport — walking — safer for everyone.”

That means getting multiple sectors involved — from transport to education — to make active travel a realistic and safe choice for all.

Cities Built for People, Not Just Cars

Investing in walking and cycling means cleaner air, lower emissions, and better public health. But it goes beyond that. Car-free zones and safer bike routes can revitalize public spaces, boost community life, and improve urban well-being overall.

These changes aren’t just about moving differently — they’re about living better.

From Words to Action

The WHO’s toolkit isn’t just a document. It’s a wake-up call. If walking and cycling remain dangerous, they’ll stay a privilege of the brave — or the desperate. But they should be the easiest and safest ways to get around.

Governments now have the tools. The real question is: will they use them before more lives are lost?

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