The Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Development Council will be hosting a webinar on active transportation in honor of World Science Day and in support of SBM’s Science Communication Fund. World Science Day for Peace and Development embraces the positive impact that science has brought to society and the need to engage the public in debates on emerging scientific issues. The 2022 UNESCO World Science Day theme is Basic Science for Sustainable Development, which we believe active transportation is representative of.
This panel on active transportation will share scientific perspectives on promoting active transportation, health, and sustainability by intervening at multiple levels of influence. Panelists will translate evidence to indicate why active transportation, like walking and biking and public transit, should be realistic choices to get around and cities should be built to ensure active transportation is safe, easy, and affordable. Examples include making walking paths or parks safer at night by adding streetlights, ensuring accessible and convenient public transportation, making biking safer with dedicated bike lanes, etc. To realize that vision, every community should also include important destinations for daily use (e.g., mixed-use development) and design active transportation facilities that are universally accessible (e.g., including curb cuts and traffic calming). Multi-level interventions to promote active transportation can yield co-benefits for individual and planetary health. Panelists will provide a structured introduction to these issues and participate in a moderated discussion with the moderator and attendees.