WHO unveils new toolkit to boost walking and cycling safety worldwide

As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week opens worldwide under the theme “Make walking and cycling safe,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new toolkit aimed at helping governments promote active mobility through safer infrastructure and policy. The initiative comes amid alarming statistics: nearly 1.2 million people die on roads annually, with over a quarter being pedestrians and cyclists.

Despite the health and environmental benefits of walking and cycling, only 0.2% of roads worldwide have dedicated cycle lanes, and many communities lack essentials like sidewalks and safe crossings. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the urgency: “We must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.”

WHO’s newly launched toolkit offers practical, evidence-based solutions for urban planners, health advocates, policymakers, and civil society to make streets safer and more inclusive. It urges governments to integrate active mobility into transport, health, and education policies while prioritizing safe infrastructure, reduced speed limits, public awareness campaigns, and financial incentives.

While global pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have slightly improved from 2011 to 2021, regional disparities are alarming. Pedestrian deaths rose by 42% in South-East Asia, cyclist fatalities increased by 50% in Europe, and the Western Pacific saw an 88% surge in cyclist deaths. These statistics underscore the urgent need for global action.

This year’s campaign, supported by over 400 NGOs in 100 countries through the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, urges governments to treat walking and cycling as essential, not optional. “We’re calling on all sectors – transport, health, education and beyond – to make walking and cycling safe and accessible for everyone,” said Etienne Krug, WHO’s Director for the Social Determinants of Health.

The WHO toolkit is a cornerstone in this collective push for healthier cities, equitable mobility, and fewer road fatalities, marking a crucial milestone in global road safety efforts.