By Chris McCahill
Staying grounded and mentally fit can be challenging these days. While some people turn to meditation or self-medication, a large and growing body of research points to a simpler solution: walkable neighborhoods and bike-friendly streets. Not only can they improve physical health, but they also offer meaningful benefits to our social and emotional well-being. As we’ve noted, extended periods of driving can have the opposite effect.
The largest recent study examining the mental health impacts of walking and biking, led by European researchers who reviewed more than 100 earlier studies, found neighborhood walkability, access to opportunities, and green space tend to make people feel less lonely.
“Five out of six studies investigating the relationship between the general neighbourhood accessibility and loneliness found that the ease of reaching services and sites was related to less loneliness,” they explain, adding, “Four studies unambiguously found that individuals who rated their neighbourhood as more walkable had fewer feelings of loneliness.” Exposure to car traffic, on the other hand, consistently made people feel more alone.
Walking and biking can also reduce stress and make families happier and more productive. Another recent study in Spain’s Valencian Community found that parents who walk or bike with their children to school report better health, higher life satisfaction, and lower commuting stress than those who drive. Their kids, meanwhile, tend to perform better in school. The researchers concluded that “parents using active transport modes (walking or biking) consistently report healthier body mass index values, higher life satisfaction, greater travel satisfaction, and better academic performance in their children.”
Similar patterns hold true in the U.S. From Germany to Wisconsin, research shows that people who walk or bike tend to be more engaged in their communities. But those benefits aren’t always shared equally. Several studies also suggest wealthier Americans are more likely to enjoy safe, comfortable environments for walking and biking. Meanwhile, lower-income residents and communities of color are more likely to walk out of necessity, often in places with dangerous or incomplete infrastructure.
The Spanish researchers acknowledge these challenges, noting:
Effective policy must also address the practical challenges faced by families, including long distances, traffic safety, and infrastructure quality. Integrating active travel initiatives into urban planning, along with targeted awareness campaigns, can encourage sustainable commuting while aligning with public health goals.
Photo credit: Zoshua Colah on Unsplash. License.