In Praise of Walkability & Bikeability

As our society becomes increasingly obsessed with health and healthspan, where we live grows in significance. Simply, some places make it easier to live healthier than others.

One key dimension is how place can nudge us to movement daily.

Movement is foundational to our health—it supports nearly every system in the body. It does so much: improves cardiovascular health, reducing risk of heart disease and stroke; enhances brain function, memory, and mood through better blood flow and neurochemical balance; strengthens muscles and bones, helping prevent falls and frailty with age; regulates blood sugar and insulin, lowering diabetes risk; boosts immune function and reduces inflammation; supports mental health, decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Case for Walkability

One way to promote movement is to be in a place where walking is safe and a viable method for getting around to do life.

Walk Score is a measure that rates the walkability of a specific address or neighborhood on a scale from 0 to 100, based on how easily residents can accomplish daily errands on foot. It considers proximity to amenities like grocery stores, schools, parks, restaurants, and public transit, with higher scores indicating more walkable, pedestrian-friendly areas.

Not surprisingly, cities tend to score the highest with San Francisco (89), New York City (88) and Boston (83) leading the way in the U.S. Internationally, Munich was recently rated the most walkable city. But, ultimately, it is not about the city, it is about specific places (or microplaces) within a city. This is where inputting a specific address into Walk Score can be particularly beneficial.

Don’t Overlook Bikeability (and e-Bikeability)

While walkability often gets more attention, bikeability is important, too, and rising in popularity.

Biking can provide many of the same health benefits of walking and, in some cases, can be even better, especially when hills are involved.

One of the benefits of biking as compared to walking is that it covers a wider geographic area for the same amount of travel time (since biking is faster than walking). As a result, some places may have a low walk score but a high bike score.

With the rise of e-bikes, improving cycling infrastructure and proliferation of bike stations, biking is becoming a more common way to travel. In Paris, for example, 11.2% of trips are made by bike, surpassing car usage at 4.3%. Between October 2022 and October 2023, bicycle usage on Parisian streets doubled, in part, due to investing in one of the world’s largest bike-sharing systems, with 19,000 bikes and 1,464 stations across the city and suburbs.

Part of what is fueling adoption is the availability of e-bikes. London, for example, recently observed twice as many bikes as cars in its downtown ‘Square Mile’ driven in part by e-bikes. Dockless e-bikes account for one in six bikes in the capital’s main financial district.

Cities May Be Meccas for Walkability & Bikeability but Pay Attention to Dense Suburbs

While cities are often seen as meccas for walkability and bikeability, they aren’t the only places that score high. Dense suburbs with main streets can also be viable options.

For example, in Brookline, MA (outside of Boston) is dense, with good public transit and walkable access to schools, markets, and restaurants. Shaker Heights, OH (outside of Cleveland) is designed with walkable garden-city principles and accessible transit lines. Even in Florida, Winter Park (outside of Orlando) is a charming suburb with walkable downtown, public spaces, and mixed-use zoning.

In other words, for those who may not wish to live in a high-density urban area but desire walkability and bikeability, options exist but may require some searching.

Managing the Tradeoffs

The demand for walkable and bikeable places exceeds supply. As a result, such places tend to have a price premium. According to one report, homes in above-average walkable neighborhoods command premiums ranging from $4,000 to $34,000 over similar homes in less walkable areas. Another analysis suggests that the price premium is closer to 25% (approximately $78K on average).

Given the higher cost, most buyers and renters are presented with a tradeoff: walkability vs. space.

For older people – or people who are planning to have a home that works for them later in life – it may be wise to choose a place with greater walkability, all things considered. A large home that is car-dependent can cause complications, particularly when the ability to drive is compromised.

Walkability and Bikeability is a Moving Target – And That’s a Good Thing

Fortunately, government leaders, urban planners and real estate developers are taking measures to make the United States and other parts of the world more walkable and bikeable. The federal government awarded over $425 million through the RAISE grants in 2024 for projects focused entirely on trails, walking, and biking, illustrating a nationwide commitment to active transportation. A number of cities are implementing Vision Zero, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities by enhancing pedestrian infrastructure, including new crosswalks and pedestrian hybrid beacons.

One of the more noteworthy real estate projects focused on walkability is Culdesac Tempe. The pioneering car-free neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona is designed to foster walkability, community interaction, and sustainable living.

As more attractive walkable and bikeable options emerge, it may be time to consider a move in order to be moving more (either by foot or bike) on a daily basis.

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