Inclusive and safe active mobility

The impact of perceived injury risk and psychosocial factors on walking equity

“…Previous research has suggested that people avoid walking in areas with high densities, likely due to a higher risk of falls and trampling (Basu, et al, 2021b;Hughes, 2003;Schepers, et al, 2017). Our findings highlight the importance of estimating "equitably optimal densities" that protect the most vulnerable road users from objective risks that could harm them, and perceived risks that inequitably prevent them from engaging in active mobility and social participation (Rod, 2022). The consideration of "equitably optimal densities" also applies to the design of evacuation infrastructure for pedestrians during natural or man-made disasters.…”

“…Historically, there have been periods in countries such as the United States where motor vehicle crashes exceeded the combined deaths from infectious and non-communicable diseases (Methorst, et al, 2017a). The objective and psychological (subjective) primacy of PVC diverts attention from falls, which are the leading mechanism of injury among pedestrians (Methorst, et al, 2017a, Rod et al, 2021c, Rod, 2022. Transport justice requires jurisdictions to recalibrate this belief and work towards reducing the objective and perceived risk of pedestrian falls.…”