TfL hosts London’s first ‘major’ walking conference

London walking

Transport for London has hosted its first major walking conference, organised to highlight the benefits that higher levels of walking can deliver for the Capital.

Held on 17 March, ‘Healthy Streets for London – making a great city for walking’ saw international experts, health professionals and representatives from London’s boroughs join together at to discuss how London can be made a better city for pedestrians.

The event followed the recent publication of Healthy Streets for London, a long-term plan developed by London’s mayor and walking and cycling commissioner to make walking and cycling ‘a safer and obvious choice for people from all backgrounds’.

Among the speakers were Val Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport and Will Norman, walking and cycling commissioner, who both reiterated the Mayor’s commitment to make London’s streets ‘healthier, safer and more welcoming’ for those wanting to walk and cycle.

An international perspective was provided by, Bloomberg Associates’ Janette Sadik-Khan, New York City’s former transportation commissioner and Christophe Najdovski, Paris’ deputy mayor for transport.

Val Shawcross said: “We are committed to improving the health and quality of life for all Londoners, and know that this can happen if we create a cleaner, better environment where people want to walk and cycle.

“By improving our streets to encourage active travel, we can reduce the impact of transport on our environment – leading to cleaner air and a greener, quieter and less traffic dominated city for all to enjoy.”

Will Norman said: “For the good of our health and for the good of our environment, we urgently need to design physical activity back into our everyday lives.

“Almost all journeys start with a walk, but by making streets right across the Capital easier and safer to walk further, we can help build stronger and healthier communities for the benefit of all.”

Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport, TfL, said: “We recognise the influence that travel choices have on how healthy people can be in London. If we do things differently, such as helping to reduce car use by providing nicer places to walk, live and work, we can help deliver amazing health benefits to Londoners.”


 

21 March 2017