- A tip - What can I do

 

Why is Victoria Walks focusing on individuals and neighbourhoods?

We’re focusing on local people because local people know their neighbourhoods best.

You know what you like and don’t like about the streets you live, play and shop in, and what would make walking a more attractive option.

You might have a specific motivation like community connections, health, environment, the cost of transport or safety – or you might have identified one issue you’d really like fixed, like creating a pedestrian crossing near a busy shopping strip, slowing traffic speeds, or getting the streets cleaned more often.

No matter why you’re involved, Victoria Walks is a chance for you to shape the community you want.

And there’s a huge body of research that indicates that change is most effective and long lasting when it comes from within communities themselves.

Around the world, there are groups that exist solely to support communities to encourage walking – you can read more in our links and resources section.

If encouraging walking is so important, why isn’t someone doing something about it?

Well, some people are doing stuff already. Some councils and areas of government are very, very active in promoting, supporting and encouraging walking – and others still have a way to go.

But whether someone else is already doing something in your area or not, getting involved is a great way to make sure that the end result is something that suits your neighbourhood.

Getting the right result is much more likely when local people have a say in how they want their community to be.

For more information about what your local council is doing in your area, and some information on state government policy that supports walking, please visit:

 

Watch our video showing some things you can do

In this video, Nicole Livingstone (OAM) Australian Olympian explains why walking is important, what you can do to make your neighbourhood more vibrant and how you can to get more people out walking.