Active Independent Aging   
IntroductionGetting startedFallsActive livingSafer CentresSafer communitiesEvaluating your programResources
 

Safer communities > Potential problems in your community

An elderly man crossing the street at a crosswalk
Are crosswalks conventiately located in your community?

Photo by Judy Kavanagh

Potential problems in your community

The following list highlights the more common concerns in a community that might put older adults at risk for falling. Many of these might also discourage older adults who are otherwise inclined to be active outdoors. For a more complete list of potential problems and tips to improve the situation in your community, see Resources: Program Tool 10 - Is your neighbourhood safe and activity-friendly?

Sidewalk and ramp hazards

  • Uneven or broken sidewalks
  • Items left on the sidewalk such as bikes, toys, or garbage
  • Ramps that are too steep
  • No sidewalks, leaving only road shoulders to walk on
  • Surfaces covered in water, ice or snow

"I thought it'd be easier to take the ramp rather than the stairs. I guess the ramp was a little steep and my shoes were a little worn. My feet slid right out from under me."

Older adult, Ottawa

Traffic and road hazards

  • Cars not obeying red traffic lights - turning into pedestrians who are walking with the green light.
  • Cars not stopping at pedestrian crosswalks
  • Cars that exceed the speed limit
  • Crosswalks that are not conveniently located
  • Crosswalks with uneven surfaces
  • Walk lights that don't allow enough time to cross the street safely

Photo by Judy Kavanagh

Not all pedestrians are created equal!

Two Canadian researchers(22) surveyed municipalities in North America to find out what walking speeds they used to figure pedestrian crossing time at intersections, twenty-six municipalities responded. 85% said they used a walking speed of 1.2 meters/second.

They then tested people in the lab. Timing results showed that the mean normal speed was slower for "senior" participants than for "adult" participants. For example, the mean normal speed for adult men was 1.34 meters/second compared with 1.13 meters/second for senior men (which is slower than assumed by most municipalities).

The researchers advocated assuming a somewhat slower walking speed to allow seniors to cross safely.
Personal safety hazards
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Fear of crime
  • Not enough people on the streets to help walkers if they have a problem
  • No companion to walk with

"82% of Canadians would like to walk more."

National Survey on Active Transportation, 1998
Left arrow Previous: Safer communities Right arrow Next: What your organization can do
 

Introduction | Getting started | Falls | Active living | Safer centres |
Safer communities | Evaluating your program | Resources | Français

Table of contents | About us | Contact us | Terms of use | Acknowledgements | References

Last modified June 29, 2004