April 27, 2026 marks an important date for all those who believe in a greener and more human-scale future: for the first time, International Walking Day is being celebrated, the international day dedicated entirely to walking. An initiative that aims to put what is, to all intents and purposes, the most natural and sustainable form of travel back at the center of urban policies and public debate.
On foot to build more livable cities
Promoted as part of THE PEP, the pan-European program on transport, health and environment supported by WHO and UNECE, and recognized as a voluntary commitment for the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035, International Walking Day is much more than a simple occasion. In Italy, this campaign is carried out with enthusiasm by the Pedestrian Rights Movement, an association that fights for a fundamental right: that of being able to move on foot safely, with accessibility and dignity.
The objective is clear: to elevate ‘walkability’ from an often overlooked concept to an absolute priority on our country’s political agendas. While dedicated strategies already exist at an international level, such as the Pan-European Master Plan on Walking, in Italy the topic is still ‘invisible’, despite the profound and daily impact on the lives of each of us.
Because walkability is fundamental for the environment and health
Walking is not just a way to get around; it is the very root of mobility. Every journey, every journey, begins and ends with a step. Recent studies indicate that, according to ISFORT (2025), one in five journeys is made on foot (one in four in cities). And it’s not just a statistic: walking is the ‘glue’ of mobility, accounting for 50% of travel time involving public transport.
But the impact of walkability goes far beyond pure mobility. It is the key to access public space, study, work, leisure and relationship opportunities. It has a huge influence on physical and mental health, counteracting sedentary lifestyle and promoting well-being. It is a determining factor for social inclusion or exclusion, allowing or denying many (especially the most vulnerable) to fully participate in city life.
Walking connects people, strengthens social ties and participation in public life. It is, ultimately, the key to the ‘right to the city’, a right still too often denied by cities, streets and public spaces that are unsafe, inaccessible, poorly connected and with poor infrastructure. Promoting walkability means reducing inequalities and building stronger and more resilient communities.
The International Walking Challenge: a month to walk together
To celebrate the launch of International Walking Day, the Pedestrian Rights Movement invites everyone to participate in the International Walking Challenge, a global challenge that will take place from 27 April to 27 May 2026. The ambitious goal is to reach 50 million total steps in Europe, ideally uniting people from different nations in one large movement.
Participating is very simple: just download the free Walk15 app, join the challenge by entering the code IWD26 and start recording your walks, whether it’s a commute to work, a stroll around the neighborhood or a trip in your free time. Every step counts and contributes to a powerful collective message: walking is a daily health practice, a driver of inclusion and a fundamental right.
The Pedestrian Rights Movement invites public bodies, associations, schools, universities and local entities to join in the promotion of this day, organizing initiatives, events or spreading the message through its own channels. Graphic and information materials are available on the website www.internationalwalkingday.org to support each activity. As Francesca Chiodi, president of the Pedestrians’ Rights Movement, points out: “We all walk, every day. Walkability is at the heart of mobility, equity and rights. It is time to celebrate it and ask for more courageous policies, especially in a context marked by inequalities, transport poverty and global crises.”
International Walking Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the crucial role of walkability in Italy. It is an invitation to recognize its public, social, economic and health value, pushing for policies and infrastructures that put people at the centre, integrating sustainable mobility, environmental and health objectives into urban plans and national strategies. Doing so means investing in greener, less polluted and fairer cities for everyone.
