Walking

Walking comprises all people using their feet solely to move, as well as those in wheelchairs or pushing prams. A pedestrian (Australian Road Rules) also includes people using wheeled recreational devices such as roller blades, roller skates, skateboards, scooters and motorised scooters (travelling less than 10km/h).

People on foot choose to walk for a variety of purposes and needs. The ability to walk is an important contributor to a wide range of aspects of daily life and health, cohesion and success of communities. Each person walks every day and all types of transport involve walking and yet walking itself is independent of all other forms of transport. It is important to emphasise that many walking trips do not have a purpose and therefore the planning and needs for people on foot varies significantly to that of people on bicycles.

Walking is increasing in popularity and Logan City Council is developing programs to encourage residents to take up this form of recreation and transport. Walking and cycling can be of benefit to Logan City in a number of ways.

Benefits

Benefits to people

• Improved physical and mental health by being more physically active.
• Reduce health costs.
• Sense of independence and freedom and less reliant on access to a private motor vehicle.
• Easy accessibility to all places and through spaces.
• Increased community interaction and social cohesion.
• Increased knowledge of, and familiarity with the local area due to observing the area at a lower speed
• Increased opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
• A 'safety in number' effect for people who walk or cycle. Increased numbers of people walking or cycling create more awareness, and therefore increased safety for users.
• Many of these benefits apply more so to children and seniors, who often have no access to private motor vehicles.

Benefits to the built environment

• Reduce traffic congestion as a result of less people using private motor vehicles.
• Increased use of public transport as a complementary travel option.
• Space efficiencies for transport corridors as space for walking and cycling requires less area than motorised vehicles.
• Can increase casual surveillance of communities with more pedestrian traffic on the streets, reducing the opportunity for crime.
• Fosters local living/working through a focus on walking in the local area for shorter distances.
• Reduces the need for parking provision as options shift away from private vehicles in town or shopping centres.

Benefits to the natural environment

• Fewer vehicle trips reduce pollution from transport emissions.
• Reduce noise pollution as walkers and cyclists make minimal noise compared to motor vehicles.
• Improved appreciation of natural environment and human experience of natural environment.
• Reduce carbon emissions and vulnerability to peak oil.

Benefits to the economy

• Reduced cost of infrastructure as space for walking and cycling requirements are less than for vehicles, i.e. can move more people along a narrower corridor.
• High cost benefit ratio of walking and cycling facilities/programs.
• More vibrant and successful town centres.
• Increased tourism opportunities and new tourist activities/attractors.
• Related regeneration of places and streets, due to amenity related improvements demanded by active, healthy communities.

The best source of information on the benefits of walking can be found on the Queensland Transport and Main Roads website.

Walking groups

Walking groups are a great way to get to know your neighbours and your neighbourhood. To join a walking group simply attend one of the sessions below or contact the Walk Organiser for further information.

Indoor walking groups

Outdoor walking groups

Bushwalking groups

Links

Trip Planner

Planning your trip is essential if you are starting out.  The following websites can help you to plan your trip and to keep track of the distance you cover.

• MapMyWALK
• MapMyRUN

If you are not experienced it is a good idea to join a walking club or to get a friend of family member to join you.

Health

While you are walking you may notice problems and issues along your route. The Heart Foundation's checklist on the Walkability website could be helpful to gather information and forward it to Council.

Safety

Council provides a number of safety programs to create a safer Logan for the community.

• Personal Safety  (PDF 220 KB)

Where can I go walking?

If you are not familiar with your neighbourhood parks, these maps can give you suggestions of existing pathways.

• NearMap
• OpenStreetMap

Other Walking Links

• Department of Transport and Main Roads - Pedestrians and Walking

Other Links

• Heart Foundation
• Queensland Outdoors Recreation Federation
• Swap It, Don't Stop It
• Tracks and Trails
• Auswalk