More than a billion people walk or cycle in Africa every day to reach work, their homes, school and other essential services. Although there have been bold and inspiring actions to improve conditions for people that walk and cycle across the continent, most countries still lack policies, appropriate infrastructure and budgets for protecting vulnerable road users. The danger lies not just on the road, but in the air too. Vehicle emissions, which are on the rise, contribute to the climate crisis and are responsible for significant proportions of outdoor air pollution.

In Africa, on average, people spend up to 56 minutes walking or cycling for transport every day, surpassing a global average of 43.9 Minutes. These 56 minutes of daily physical activity for transport generate the least noise and air pollution, require no use of fossil fuels and have significant health benefits.

ABOUT THE REPORT

This report is a first attempt at gathering, analysing and presenting data to demonstrate the everyday reality for the one billion people in Africa who walk and cycle every day. It baselines conditions in all 54 African countries using existing data sources interpreted through a walking and cycling lens and highlights inspiring best practices. It highlights that making the life of people who walk and cycle in African countries safer, healthier and more comfortable needs to be a core priority if we are to ensure healthier and more equitable cities.

The report sets out recommendations for governments and other stakeholders and makes the case for retaining, enabling and protecting those already moving in the most sustainable way possible. Developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat) and the Walk21 Foundation, it provides the evidence, knowledge and key actions required to ensure transport decisions made today will deliver safer, more sustainable and resilient networks in the future.

Walking And Cycling In Africa - Evidence And Good Practice To Inspire Action. UNEP - UN Environment Programme. 27 July 2022. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/walking-and-cycling-africa-evidence-and-good-practice-inspire-action. Archived at: https://perma.cc/JB87-JRUB.

United Nations Environmental Programme, and UN-Habitat. 2022. WALKING AND CYCLING IN AFRICA. Evidence and Good Practice to Inspire Action. United Nations. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/walking-and-cycling-africa-evidence-and-good-practice-inspire-action. Archived at: https://perma.cc/JB87-JRUB.

United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)