Just Because You Live In A "Walkable" Area, Do You Walk More?

"Walkability" has become a buzz word lately. It refers to living in a neighbourhood that has lots of amenities within walking distance.
But do people who live in areas with high walkability scores walk more?

Apparently, our area has a walk score of 94/100, the eighth highest among Toronto neighbourhoods.

But I have noticed that a lot of my neighbours climb into their cars with more frequency than they strap on their runners, or tote a bundle buggy, which made me think.

Now a study out of Seattle suggests that people who live in walkable areas don't necessarily walk more.

Interesting.

No doubt, there are additional things that make walkable areas attractive other than their abundance of conveniences. In our area, the architecture and lovely streetscapes are a draw, as is the size of homes for the urban core.
In Toronto's most walkable areas in the downtown corridor, a short commute time to work is a big plus.

So, just because we can walk to virtually any convenience doesn't mean that we do.

Food for thought.

Cheers,

Vanessa