Walking
Walking is healthy and environmentally-friendly way of getting around, and is an important transportation mode in the Washington, DC area. A 2011 study in Arlington found that half of the respondents reported that walking was part of their commute to work. 15% said that walking was their primary mode of transportation to work. More than 80% of respondents said they make a trip entirely by walking (for any reason - not necessarily commuting) at least a couple of times a week.
Shared-Use Trails
The Washington, D.C. area has a great network of off-street trails, which are shared by cyclists, walkers, joggers, and others. For more information and tips on sharing the trails, see the Shared-Use Trails page.
Guaranteed Ride Home
If you walk to work, you may be eligible for Commuter Connections' Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH). GRH provides free taxi rides home when the unexpected happens. Guaranteed Ride Home is also available to commuters who use other commuting alternatives, such as carpooling or bicycling. More about the Guaranteed Ride Home Program.
More Information
WalkArlington - Arlington, Virginia's outreach program to encourage walking. Visit WalkArlington.com for information about health and safety, multiuse trails, walking to school, and more.
Mobility Lab WalkArlington page - Research related to the WalkArlington program
Alexandria LocalMotion Bike & Walk page
goDCgo Walking in Washington, DC page
DDOT Bicycles and Pedestrians page - Information about biking and walking in DC from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
Trails in Fairfax County – Trails serve multiple purposes including exercising, walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, bird-watching, and equestrian use. They also provide safe, alternative, non-motorized transportation routes to destinations such as places of employment, education facilities, commercial establishments, and recreation locations.
Street Smart – Street Smart is an annual public education, awareness and behavioral change campaign in the Washington, DC, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia area. The campaign has used radio, newspaper, and transit advertising, public awareness efforts, and added law enforcement to respond to the challenges of pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
America Walks – Making America a Great Place to Walk
Everybody WALK – The campaign to get America walking
Safe Routes to School – Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are sustained efforts by parents, schools, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school.
Walk Score rates neighborhoods based on the ease of walking to shops, restaurants and other public places. The site measures the walkability of cities and neighborhoods around the U.S.