This paper considers institutional barriers to the adoption of pedestrian-friendly policy. Transport policy and discussions on mobility often refer only to motorised transport, and statistics generated then guide decision-making. Statistics according to distance underestimate the importance of walking. Homes and destinations are increasingly spread out, making travel on foot difficult. Accident statistics concentrate on motor vehicle accidents and fail to take into account single pedestrian accidents involving tripping or slipping. Public perception of mobility overestimates car use, and walking has a poor image. Transport policy focuses on long-distance travel and most financial investment goes into roads, airports and high speed trains. External costs of motorised transport are carried by pedestrians: but pedestrian interests are neglected in government administration. The author recommends more consideration of pedestrians in policy and more transparency of negative impacts. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118896.
Samenvatting