Activity-Friendly Routes
to Everyday Destinations

Activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations is an Active People, Healthy Nation strategy to improve the design of communities by connecting routes such as sidewalks, trails, bicycle lanes, and public transit to destinations such as grocery stores, schools, worksites, libraries, parks or health care facilities. This strategy makes it safe and easy to walk, bicycle, or wheelchair roll for people of all ages and abilities. States, local governments, and community organizations can use the following approaches to carry out this strategy:

Complete Streets policies

Complete Streets policies support the routine design and operation of streets and communities that are safe for all pedestrians, regardless of age, ability, or transportation mode. Key features found on Complete Streets include sidewalks, protected bike lanes, special bus lanes, comfortable and accessible transit stops, frequent crossing opportunities, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, and curb extensions.

Comprehensive or master plans

A comprehensive plan, also called the general plan or community master plan, is the official statement of a local government establishing policies for its long-term development. These documents can be created through a collaboration between citizens, planners, and city leaders to include policies that guide investments to improve residents’ health outcomes by increasing physical activity opportunities.

Zoning policies

Zoning policies influence the design of communities and the location of different land use types, such as commercial and residential development. This can influence distances between the two and in turn the feasibility for active travel. Policies outlined in comprehensive or master plans often guide zoning codes and other land development regulations.

Safe Routes

Safe Routes is a comprehensive approach to improve safety and security for everyone walking, bicycling, and wheelchair rolling. Safe Routes approaches such as Safe Routes to School and Safe Routes to Parks include infrastructure improvements for better traffic laws, safety education, and incentives to encourage walking and bicycling to community destinations.

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