Walk

In a world that moves fast, walking slows you down—in the best possible way. Take a break from the rush. Walking gives you space to breathe, think, and reset, while still getting you where you need to go.

Whether you're heading to work, school, or the nearest transit stop, walking is the perfect solution for short to medium distances.

Why Walk?

Walking is more than just a way to get from point A to B—it’s one of the most accessible and beneficial forms of daily movement.

Mental & Physical Health Benefits

  • Walking helps you work toward the recommended 10,000 steps per day, a proven benchmark for improving cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, and mental well-being
  • It reduces stress, boosts your mood, and enhances mental clarity before and after your workday
  • Supports joint health, circulation, and natural energy levels without the need for intense workouts
  • Creates space to listen, reflect, or disconnect from screens in a healthy, grounded way

Walking Buddies: Support at Your Pace

With Smart Commute, you can match with walking buddies—commuters near you who take similar walking routes.

  • Walk together for encouragement, safety, and social connection
  • Learn from others, explore safer or more scenic paths, and enjoy your commute as part of a shared routine
  • Build consistency with someone who’s also walking for wellness, sustainability, or simplicity

Whether you’re looking for safety in numbers, or just someone to chat with along the way, walking with a buddy can make your commute more enjoyable and rewarding.

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Walk

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Getting Started

Walking is a great way to get to and from work to a transit station, or as a way to de-stress during the lunch hour. It produces no negative impacts to the environment and has physical and mental health benefits! Walking allows you to appreciate your surroundings and get some exercise.

 On average, a person can walk 1 kilometre in 10 minutes at a brisk pace and in 15 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Tips for using sidewalks and crossings:

  • Look all ways before crossing a road, even at one-way streets.
  • Cross only at intersections and obey traffic signals.
  • Make sure you are visible at night. Wear light coloured or reflective clothing.
  • Minimize distractions by limiting use of mobile devices and watch where you walk. Make sure you can still hear emergency sirens and honking horns.

Be mindful when using multi-use trails:

  • Pedestrians and cyclists and inline skaters must share the trail. Look at markings on the pavement to ensure you know where you can walk.
  • Make sure you are visible at night. Wear light coloured or reflective clothing.
  • If you use a mobile device or wear earbuds, make sure you can still hear bicycle bells or voices of riders as they announce their approach.

Check out the Conservation Areas and Trails page for more information on hiking trails, trail maps, guided hikes, and more!