The scientific question of the month demystifies complex topics with simple, effective answers.
According to the Quebec government, road transportation accounts for over 30% of the province’s greenhouse gas emissions. Even so, solo car use has somehow increased in recent years. Québec Science has reported that it represented 69% of trips in 2017, but that figure rose to 74% in 2024. Why this dependence on cars, and how can we end it?
It’s a hard-walk life
One major contributor to car dependence is urban planning. The more cities are designed to make walking safe and easy, the more likely people are to switch from driving to walking or public transit. It’s a factor known as “walkability.” And our cities aren’t very walkable.
How come?
The lack of sidewalks, the number of lanes to cross at intersections, short crossing times, and poorly located bus stops are just a few of the obstacles pedestrians have to contend with. Winter adds an extra layer of complexity, with icy patches and large snowdrifts.
Added challenges
For seniors, families with young children, and people with functional limitations, the difficulties are even greater. Getting around while wrangling strollers or manoeuvring mobility aids can quickly become an insurmountable challenge.
Are there any solutions?
Intersection configurations that make pedestrians visible on street corners; better snow clearing; pedestrian zones separated from road crossings; wider sidewalks; more accessible and user-friendly bus stops; and better pedestrian access to schools, libraries, parks, and businesses can all make life easier for pedestrians.
Happy pedestrians, a double bonus!
The benefits of making the city more walkable are twofold: they encourage people to swap solo driving for sustainable transit while promoting environmental equity and the notion of the common good. At INRS, Professor Marie-Soleil Cloutier and her team are examining these safety and mobility issues, which affect the future of the planet and the well-being of communities.
