Mental and physical wellbeing are vital aspect in shaping our quality of life

Cycling regularly not only improves your physical but also your mental health. Unfortunately many of our neighbourhoods have been designed around the car, making it more difficult to cycle and walk as part of  daily life leading to social isolation and lack of physical exercise.

People who live in streets with little traffic have three times more friends than people who live on a busy road with lots of traffic.

Cycling and walking friendly neighbourhoods improve the livability of our streets making them safer and improving communication between people which creates a sense of place and belonging.

Features of of cycling and walking friendly neighbourhoods are:

• Availability of open spaces
• Convenient proximity to parks, shops and services, recreational facilities and schools
• Streets with shady tree coverage and footpaths
• Convenient access to medical services
• The use of school ovals, not only for organised sporting activities, but also for general recreation
• Local aesthetics - the attractiveness of streetscapes and local parks
• Low traffic density in residential areas (Vic Health 2003)

If possible, look for those features when choosing a place to life, alternatively let your local councillors and your neighbours know that you value those aspects and work together to create more liveable neighbourhoods in your local area. 

If you want more information how to work towards creating more livable neighbourhoods contact us and we can provide you with information and resources. Living in cycling and walking friendly communities can make being active a natural compontent of your life by providing incentives to cycle or walk to shopping strips, schools, work and entertainment areas and improving your quality of life.