A one-year-old’s ability to walk is considered a major milestone, but after that moment, most of us take walking for granted. This section of our web site offers access to our work and provides insight into new and emerging knowledge.

Research on building walkable communities - on design, health, and community change - is sorely needed. Feet First is a partner in research projects in planning, public health and policy.

Research Partners

Healthly Aging Research Network

Physical Activity Policy Research Network

University of Washington Urban Form Lab - Walkability Index

Seattle Central Area Walking Audit (March 2004)

Bellevue Factoria Area Walking Audit (July 2004)

Seattle Delridge - Brandon-30th-Findlay Street Audit (February 2005)

Bellevue Crossroads Walking Audit (May 2005)

South Park Walking Audit (June 2005)

Yakima Downtown Walking Audit (October 2005)

Madison Park Walking Audit (October 2005)

Puyallup Walking Audit (March 2006)

North Beacon Hill Walking Audit (August 2006)

South Lake Union re+walk (August 2006)

Sanislo Elementary re+walk (August 2007)

Denny Middle School re+walk (August 2007)

West Seattle Elementary re+walk (August 2007)

In-House Research and Walkability Information Papers

Feet First has conducted research on motorized foot scooters, signal timing for pedestrians, sidewalk funding, the contribution of streetcars to walkability and more. Completed reports are included here:

Pedestrian Information Paper No. 1: "Motorized Foot Scooters and the Pedestrian Environment: With attention to the safety of scooter users" (440 KB PDF file)
Communities around Washington and across the United States have been taking action on restricting the use of gas and electric powered foot scooters. Feet First took a look at what is happening here and in other states. We found alarming evidence weighing against permitting these devices on the streets and sidewalk (View the PowerPoint presentation - 1.1 MB download.)

Walkability Information Paper No. 2: Carts and the Cart Project. One deterrent to choose walking for daily tasks may be the need to carry along numerous or heavy objects, like groceries, work bags, or books. Personal carts, owned by individuals or shared among groups, could enable and encourage more residents to walk to shop and easily add healthful physical activity to their regular routines.

Special Publications

Feet First Comics (Nov 2004) - by Leonard Rifas

The Power of Walking Meetings (Sep 2004) - by Margaret Kitchell and John Stewart (PDF download)

How to Conduct a Crosswalk Action (2002)

Feet First co-releases the Surface Transportation Policy Project's (STPP) Mean Streets Report - December 2, 2004 - Despite the fact that other regions in the U.S. are making safety gains, the Seattle metropolitan grew more dangerous for walking, according to a new national report that says dangerous street design and a lack of investment in pedestrian safety are to blame. The report ranked the Seattle metro area slightly more dangerous in 2002 and 2003, compared to 1994 and 1995.

Read the full Press Release

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Research & Publications}