PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SAFER ROADS

Safe roads don't just prevent crashes, they enable people to make healthier choices. 

This month, Jeffrey Witte, President, represented the Alliance at the first meeting of the strategic advisory network on the creation of the Global Plan for Physical Activity organized by WHO. 

He took with him insights from Alliance members around the world, including People's Trust Jaipur, India; Fundação Thiago de Moraes Gonzaga, Brazil; AMVIRO, Mozambique; Project CARES, Philippines; and Society of Road Safety Ambassadors, Botswana. The main thrust of the feedback from members was the need for roads and transport to be designed for safe use by pedestrians and cyclists. These are currently lacking in many countries, especially in LMICs, leading to greater risk of road traffic injury and respiratory disease. It was also observed in the feedback that, in poorer countries, walking and cycling are associated with poverty and rural living and the aspiration is to own and use motorized transport. In these countries, getting enough “exercise” is the problem of the wealthy.

We are pleased that the Alliance and its NGOs have been recognized as stakeholders in this consultation. It demonstrates the global public health context of what our members do and the expertise that they have in promoting safer, sustainable roads. Read more HERE.