Mots clé accessibility of jobs, shopping, leisure; physical activity, exercise; substitute for polluting car transport; accident risks

Walking and cycling as means of urban transportation has many benefits for human health and for the environment. Shifts from driving to cycling or walking could contribute to reduce traffic congestion, costs for road and parking facilities as well as environmental impact and would increasing public health. In urban areas with high density, walking and cycling are the most convenient modes of transport and provide better accessibility to work places, shopping and leisure activities.

The most important environmental benefit of walking and cycling is the fact that they do not cause air pollution. Another benefit is the reduced need for land infrastructure, thus allowing for the development of more green areas and parks rather than roads for motor vehicles within an urban area. The beneficial effects on human health derive from the physical effort made and from a decreased risk of diseases related to physical inactivity. Daily exercises improve the general health conditions and contribute to decreasing stress while increasing work capacity. Walking and cycling are good, efficient and non-polluting substitutes for car transport in urban areas. However, in most countries walking and cycling infrastructure needs to be improved to diminish the risks of accidents with road vehicles.