The Walk Metro Vancouver Society was registered in 2010. The Board includes directors from several “walks” at universities, health agencies, regional and municipal governments and consultancies. We are registered and function as a non-profit society in British Columbia and focus on championing accessible walkability in Metro Vancouver.
We originally formed to host the International Walk 21 Conference at Simon Fraser University in 2011. From that time we have continued to educate, promote and maintain active links with ongoing work in the region.
You can browse through our originally written articles, and read about seminars and walking initiatives around the globe at our website http://walkmetrovan.ca .
Every year we focus on one theme to highlight in promoting walkability.
The Covid pandemic and the need for physical exercise during that time showed the need for safe comfortable sidewalks and pathways for walking, rolling and cycling. Everyone needs to get outside for mental and physical wellness, and cities responded in a variety of ways, including the introduction of “slow streets” that allow walkers and rollers to be the ‘sole’ users or to have priority over cars.
During 2021 and 2022 the Walk Metro Vancouver Board has made mental wellness the foremost topic in our continuing education and outreach work. For 2023, we have been connecting mental wellness, the outdoors and enhanced walkability in the region and encouraging best practices for safe and comfortable walking environments.
Global research and data show how important walking is for connection, sociability and mental/physical wellness. The board has continued to explore the walking and mental health connection, and how that reinforces resilient and sustainable communities. We need places that pass “the popsicle test” where a child can safely leave home on foot and be able to return from a local store or park with the popsicle not completely eaten or melted. Easy access to transit, schools, shops and services should be in the reach of every citizen no matter what their age or ability.
Some people call this the “ten minute” or “fifteen minute” city. We see this as a way of life.
We need more connected sociable places that are built upon the tenet of universal walkability, accessible to everyone.
This is sustainable micromobility.
Remember when Photographers took photos on the street? That is Coral Denis, the first female Jurisprudence in British Columbia on the left.
Where We Have Been
In the past we have focussed on pedestrian advocacy for seniors. In 2016-2017 we supported the very successful Walk and Be Seen Project for Seniors.
Lynn Shepherd ,Sabina Harpe and Dalia Faircloth presented their findings from the Walk and Be Seen Project at the 2017 Walk21 Conference in Calgary. They continue to mentor in making walking safer, more comfortable and convenient for seniors.
For 2018 to 2019 and for 2020 we have focussed on the vital connection between walkability and mental health.
Keep checking our website for our own original content and editorials on walkable places and spaces, as well as notices of special events of interest.
You can reach us the following ways:
Our society email is
walkmetrovan at gmail.com
You can also call the managing director Sandy James
