Walkability Organizations
Introduction
Getting involved with your local infrastructure and contacting local leaders can be a little daunting, so it's always worth looking around to see if a group in your area is already working towards the same goals. Not only might they have many useful resources and connections, but they may be able to help guide you so you don't accidentally waste time and energy. Many already have projects and campaigns you can jump in to support, but they're also often willing to help you out if you have a specific project or problem in mind.
If there are no walkability or safe-street specific groups in your area, you may also find support or similar activism opportunities via other groups such as:
Bike Advocacy Groups
Many bike advocacy groups also support and help work towards safer roads and infrastructure in general. If you can't find a local walkability group in your area, you might find allies among the bike advocacy groups in your area.
Groups & Organizations
International
Global Ecovillage Network An umbrella organization for sustainable communities, initiatives and ecologically-minded individuals worldwide.
International Federation of Pedestrians IFP "is a network of more than 40 non-profit associations and individuals that has been promoting the rights of the pedestrian since 1963."
International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) was founded in 1985 by the late Dr. Henry L. Lennard, a Viennese medical sociologist, and the late Dr Suzanne C. Lennard, an English architectural scholar. The Lennards were passionate about sharing the best evidence-based lessons of great cities and towns to improve the quality of life for all. To do it, they brought together many of the world’s most innovative and successful mayors, planners, economic development specialists, designers, developers, NGO officials, and researchers and scholars.
The mission of the IMCL has always been to raise awareness, through conferences and publications, of the effects of urban planning on livability, health and social well-being. Conferences have been held annually in the United States and Europe. They are unique in enabling city officials, architects, planners, developers, community leaders, behavioral and public health scientists, artists and others responsible for the livability of their cities to exchange experiences, ideas and expertise. The varied perspectives provide deeper understanding of the issues and generate creative solutions."
Online
r/FuckCars "Discussion about the harmful effects of car dominance on communities, environment, safety, and public health. Aspiration towards more sustainable and effective alternatives like mass transit and improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure."
r/FuckYourHeadlights "Blinded by those ultra-bright low beams? Join the club. It's not just aftermarket bulbs and misalignment; most new OEM lights pose a threat. Excessively bright headlights impair the vision and visibility of other road users whenever the offending vehicle's front end becomes elevated and in various weather conditions, regardless of correct alignment and origin. While these are contributing factors, they distract from our real need: regulations on brightness/intensity and color temperature."
r/WalkableCities "a place to post content/photos relating to walkable cities and to discuss how to improve our cities. so what is a walkable city? - they prioritize people - are accessible to everyone - have human scaled infrastructure - contains a mixed used of housing/ commercial uses and amenities - all within a dense, easy to access area"
r/WalkableStreets "A sub for inspiring neighborhood design."
Africa
Walk21 "wants to make sure that walking is measured, valued and appropriately provided for so that everyone in the world can choose to walk and enjoy the experience."
Asia
Livable Cities "... has three operational approaches or pillars: Improve coverage, quality efficiency, and reliability of services in urban areas; strengthen urban planning and financial sustainability of cities; and improve urban environment, climate resilience and disaster management of cities.
With 65% of people in Asia and the Pacific set to live in cities by 2050, we have gathered stories and lessons that will ensure cities in Asia and the Pacific are inclusive, competitive, environmentally sustainable, and resilient."
Europe
Walk21 "wants to make sure that walking is measured, valued and appropriately provided for so that everyone in the world can choose to walk and enjoy the experience."
UK
Living Streets "We want a nation where walking is the natural choice for everyday local journeys. Our mission is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more. Progress starts here: one street, one school, one step at a time. Read our three year strategy to find out more about our vision, mission and values."
Scotland
Living Streets Scotland "We want to create a nation where walking and wheeling is the natural choice for everyday, local journeys.
We deliver our walk to school programme across Scotland, enabling and encouraging more children to walk to school. Our work with communities empowers groups to deliver improvements to their walking environment so they can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces. And our campaigning on issues such as footway parking and 20mph speed limits helps to create safer and more welcoming streets."
Wales
Living Streets Cymru "We want to create a nation where walking and wheeling is the natural choice for everyday, local journeys. Our work with schools, communities and partner organisations enables and encourages people to walk and wheel more. We aim to promote our projects and services bilingually and produce several of our materials in Welsh and England, including our WOW Travel Tracker."
North America
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
People Powered Movement strives to provide the most accurate information regarding advocacy to increase bicycling and walking throughout the U.S. Their goal is to create, strengthen and unites state/province and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.
Canada
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
People Powered Movement strives to provide the most accurate information regarding advocacy to increase bicycling and walking throughout the U.S. Their goal is to create, strengthen and unites state/province and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.
USA
American Trails The only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling.
America Walks "is leading the way in advancing walkable, equitable, connected, and accessible places in every community across the U.S. We are the national voice for public spaces that allow people to safely walk and move. At the regional, state, and neighborhood levels, America Walks provides critical strategic support, training, and technical assistance to partner organizations and individuals to effectively advocate for change."
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
The East Coast Greenway "connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. We are fostering a safe walking and biking route through the country’s most populated corridor."
FHWA's Safe Routes to School Program Provides an overview of the SRTS Program as well as specific program guidance to the states in the administration of SRTS funds.
National Center for Safe Routes to School Assists communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school.
National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.
People Powered Movement strives to provide the most accurate information regarding advocacy to increase bicycling and walking throughout the U.S. Their goal is to create, strengthen and unites state/province and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.
Safe Routes to School National Partnership A network of more than 350 nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working together to advance the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) movement in the United States.
Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. Communities are recognized for working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.
Walkscore Walk Score ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 US cities on the basis of walking proximity to daily services and amenities.
10 Minute Walk "Everyone in U.S. cities should have access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home. We call on mayors to accelerate the creation of parks that drive equitable, healthy and thriving communities."
Local Walking Organizations (directory for walking organizations by state)
Walkscore Walk Score ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 US cities on the basis of walking proximity to daily services and amenities.
California
California Walks 🚶+ 🚲"is the statewide voice for pedestrian safety & healthy, walkable communities for people of all ages & abilities.
California Walks partners with state agencies, organizations and communities to establish and strengthen policies and practices that support pedestrian safety and healthy, walkable communities. California Walks works to expand and strengthen a network of community organizations working for pedestrian safety and community walkability through equity, engagement, education, advocacy and collaboration."Civic Well "supports leaders responding to the climate crisis and its impact on their communities. As a nonprofit organization, we inspire, equip, connect, and cultivate leaders working toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
We know that innovation happens when communities name their own challenges and define their own visions. Through policy guidance, collaborative partnerships, and direct assistance, we support and equip communities to bring those visions to life."Walk San Francisco "Together, we can win safe streets for all."
Illinois
The Active Transportation Alliance "is a coalition of people who are working to make walking, biking, and public transit safe and equitable options for getting around Chicagoland."
Kansas
Bike Walk Wichita (formerly the Bike Walk Alliance-Wichita) "is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to the promotion of safe active transportation within Wichita and South Central Kansas." "Bike Walk Wichita is looking to create an active community center where residents and organizations have a space to gather, innovate, ReCycle, and socialize with friends. We want to Plant Our Flag and establish a “right on the bike path”, a centrally located center that becomes one more “shining gem” in our great City!"
New York
Walk Safe Long Island "Through the work of dedicated Long Island community organizations, Walk Safe Long Island aims to raise awareness, provide education, and empower residents and leaders in our region to increase health and safety while walking.
A collaborative of health and transportation safety educators from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties aims to improve pedestrian safety and health outcomes through law-based education.
Walk Safe Long Island brings together health professionals, educators, law enforcement, community leaders, church groups, traffic safety professionals, non-profits, advocates, and more to engage with the public about what we're doing, and what they can do to help."
North Carolina
BikeWalk NC "envisions a state where anyone can choose to bicycle, roll, run, and walk as practical, healthy, safe and active transportation." "Our Mission is to lead, support, and inspire advocacy and educational efforts throughout North Carolina for an environment that fairly, safely, and equitably serves bicyclists, pedestrians, and others using active mobility and human-powered transportation."
Massachusetts
WalkMassachusetts "makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment, and more vibrant communities."
Texas
North East Texas Trail Coalition (NETT) "Texas is taking another step forward in providing safe, long-distance travel options for bicyclists and pedestrians after TxDOT received $25 million in federal funds to expand two trail corridors in northeast Texas and El Paso. Both trails are components of the state’s envisioned Bicycle Tourism Trails network."
Oceana
Australia
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.
New Zealand
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.
Still Need to Sort Through Theses
Some of these might belong on Bike Advocacy Groups or How To: Walk & Bike to School Program instead of this page.
Cycling Resources Centre
Cycling Resources Centre was founded by Sydney-based cycling enthusiast Benjamine Ling early in 2014, and it is dedicated to bringing you the very best of curated cycling culture content: art, design, photography, style, tips and tricks.League of American Bicyclists
An organization that promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation through advocacy and education.Local Government Commission
The Local Government Commission is a non-profit organization based in California that works to build livable communities. LGC with a variety of national sponsors hosts the annual New Partners for Smart Growth conference which travels around the United States.National Center for Bicycling and Walking
An organization whose mission is to create bicycle-friendly and walkable communities.National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse
The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse is an information service sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. It works to provide professionals, policy makers, and citizens with timely and accurate information and technical assistance regarding the Transportation Enhancements program, which since 1991 has been the single largest source of funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the United States.University Bike Programs
A resource for higher ed bike program folks, this groups runs a list serve and best-practice wiki.Walk and Bike to School Day
Walk and Bike to School Day offers up lots of helpful, basic information for parents, the media and site members plus planning and outreach tools, event registration and information, and ways to keep up a year-round walk and bike program.
A new Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI) report published by Asia Society and Urban Land Institute presents practical strategies for cities seeking to become more resilient and more livable.
This selection needs to be sorted. Some or all of these may need to go to Buildings and Infrastructure and/or Communities
City Repair Project This group facilitates artistic and ecologically-oriented placemaking in Portland, Oregon through projects that honor the interconnection of human communities and the natural world. Their annual Village Building Convergence is a highlight.
People for Public Spaces A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public places that build stronger communities.
The Walkable and Livable Communities Institute With the passion of evangelists, this group is on a mission to make towns and cities throughout the world more walkable, bicycle and transit friendly, and livable. They work directly with community leaders, agencies and organizations to transform urban spaces, block by block.
The Prince s Foundation for the Built Environment Sponsored by the Prince of Wales, this organization has been working to reawaken living traditions that foster true sustainability and vibrant community.
INTBAU: International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism A worldwide network of individuals and institutions who design, make, maintain, study or enjoy traditional building, architecture and places.
Making Cities Livable This international organization promotes livable, engaged and sustainable communities through conferences, publishing, consulting and networking.
1030 NW Johnson St #501
Portland, OR 97209
New Partners for Smart Growth An annual conference bringing together leaders, advocates and activists to confront the challenges to our built environment, and propose solutions for more livable, walkable and healthier communities.
Smart Growth School Starting with the basics, the SMART GROWTH SCHOOL addresses the needs of those who plan and design our cities. Students will be given the practical tools needed to move from auto-oriented and greenhouse gas-producing sprawl to pedestrian and transit-oriented neighborhoods, towns, and cities.