Step It Up! is the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy’s campaign to promote walking and walkable communities. The following whiteboard animation video highlights that walking can be an easy form of physical activity that fosters social connections and shows how we can all get involved to make our communities more walkable.

The nonprofit Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, headquartered in Port Townsend, supports and teaches communities interested in walkability. They describe their vision “to create healthy, connected communities that support active living and that advance opportunities for all people through walkable streets, livable cities and better built environments.”

For example, they offer a workbook to guide community members and leaders through organizing a walkability workshop, conducting a walking audit, and documenting findings. The guide includes a facilitator’s guide, presentation slides, a collection of tools, and a walking audit survey tool.

The AARP is also involved in making communities more age-friendly, which often means more walkable. Read more about the AARP’s work and resources on improving accessibility in our cities and towns.