People walk or bike for a variety of reasons. While some walk or bike for pleasure, others do it for fitness or transportation. Regardless of the reason, walking and biking provide excellent health benefits. Both are low-impact activities that help adults meet the recommended 150 minutes of weekly physical activity and youth meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Moreover, there is a direct connection between the built environment (our road/pedestrian/bike network) and public health: the more walkable and bikeable a community, the healthier its population.
Not everyone in Waynesboro owns or drives an automobile. Some cannot afford to drive, are not able to drive, or simply choose not to drive, so they need to get around by foot or bike. One of the goals of Waynesboro Walks is to make Waynesboro safer for walkers, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users, such as children, the elderly, and persons with mobility impairments. This will involve (1) improving pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, such as sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and multi-use trails, (2) making changes to how our roads are designed to limit vehicle speed, and (3) ensuring that walkers, bicyclists and, most importantly, drivers behave responsibly.
If you have concerns about impediments to safe walking and biking in Waynesboro, such as deteriorating sidewalks, missing curb ramps, physical or sightline obstructions, or near misses with vehicles, contact the Waynesboro Department of Public Works to report your concern at 540.942.6643 or publicworks@ci.waynesboro.va.us.
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