Vibrant Hawaiian street scene with pedestrians and cyclists.

Walk This Way: How Hawaii's Streets Can Inspire Your Active Lifestyle

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Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how urban design in Hawaii impacts pedestrian and bicycle use, and learn what you can do to promote healthier, more active communities."


Walking and bicycling are fantastic ways to get around, offering significant health benefits. However, the design of our streets and roads plays a crucial role in determining how much we choose these active transportation methods. Think about it: a street with wide sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe crossings is far more inviting than a busy road with narrow shoulders and speeding traffic. Numerous national initiatives are working to improve pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure, but how do we know where to focus our efforts?

Imagine a world where every street is a safe and enjoyable place to walk or bike. Unfortunately, many areas still have a long way to go. That's why a comprehensive assessment of street conditions is essential. To understand the challenges and opportunities for creating more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly communities, a detailed study was undertaken to assess the accessibility and friendliness of Hawaii's roads for these two activities. This research offers valuable insights that can inform urban planning and promote healthier, more active lifestyles.

The Aloha State, with its beautiful landscapes and vibrant communities, provides a unique setting to evaluate how street design impacts active transportation. The study sheds light on the specific factors that encourage or discourage walking and bicycling, offering lessons that can be applied far beyond the islands.

Key Findings: What Makes a Street Walkable and Bikeable?

Vibrant Hawaiian street scene with pedestrians and cyclists.

The Hawaii study, which objectively assessed hundreds of street segments across the islands, revealed some interesting patterns. High-capacity streets (those designed for more vehicular traffic) generally had better pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks and crossing signals. However, low-capacity roads often lacked these basic amenities. Bicycle facilities were limited across the board, highlighting a significant area for improvement.

One of the most striking findings was the strong connection between mixed land use and active transportation. Streets with a variety of uses – single-family homes, apartments, restaurants, and businesses – saw higher pedestrian and bicycle traffic. This suggests that creating vibrant, mixed-use communities is essential for encouraging active lifestyles. Consider the benefits of having shops, restaurants, and parks within walking or biking distance of your home. These features not only make it easier to run errands and socialize but also promote spontaneous physical activity.

The Hawaii study underscores several key factors that contribute to pedestrian and bicycle use:
  • Sidewalks: Contiguous sidewalks in good condition are essential for safe and comfortable walking.
  • Crossing Aids: Crosswalks and pedestrian signals make it easier and safer to cross busy streets.
  • Mixed Land Use: A variety of land uses within a neighborhood promotes walking and biking for errands and recreation.
  • Bicycle Facilities: Dedicated bike lanes and routes encourage cycling for transportation and leisure.
These findings highlight the importance of Complete Streets policies, which aim to design roads that are safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. By prioritizing the needs of all road users, we can create communities that are healthier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Creating Change: What Can You Do?

The Hawaii study offers a valuable snapshot of the challenges and opportunities for promoting active transportation. While the specific findings are relevant to Hawaii, the broader lessons apply to communities everywhere. By advocating for Complete Streets policies, supporting mixed-use development, and prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, we can create healthier, more vibrant communities where active living is the norm, not the exception. Let's work together to build a future where everyone can safely and easily walk or bike to their destinations, enjoying the many benefits of an active lifestyle.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5888/pcd9.110096, Alternate LINK

Title: A Statewide Observational Assessment Of The Pedestrian And Bicycling Environment In Hawaii, 2010

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Preventing Chronic Disease

Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Authors: Je Maddock, V Ramirez, Km Heinrich, M Zhang, Im Brunner

Published: 2011-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What did the Hawaii study reveal about the state of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on different types of streets?

The study conducted in Hawaii revealed that high-capacity streets often possess better pedestrian infrastructure like sidewalks and crossing signals, while low-capacity roads frequently lack these basic amenities. Bicycle facilities are generally limited across all road types, indicating a need for significant improvements in cycling infrastructure.

2

Why is mixed land use so important for encouraging walking and biking in communities, according to the findings?

Mixed land use, which incorporates a variety of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, is crucial because it increases pedestrian and bicycle traffic. When shops, restaurants, and parks are within walking or biking distance, people are more likely to engage in active transportation for errands, socialization, and recreation, promoting a more active lifestyle.

3

Why are 'Complete Streets' policies considered essential for creating healthier and more sustainable communities?

Complete Streets policies are essential because they aim to design roads that accommodate all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. By prioritizing the needs of everyone, these policies create communities that are healthier, more sustainable, and more enjoyable for all residents, promoting safer and more accessible environments for active transportation.

4

What specific factors were identified as most important for increasing how much people walk or bicycle?

Several key factors contribute to increased pedestrian and bicycle use. These include the presence of continuous sidewalks in good condition, crosswalks and pedestrian signals to facilitate safe street crossings, mixed land use to encourage local trips, and dedicated bicycle lanes and routes to promote cycling. Addressing these factors is crucial for fostering active lifestyles.

5

What practical steps can individuals take to encourage the development of healthier, more active communities, drawing insights from the Hawaii study?

To promote healthier and more active communities, individuals can advocate for Complete Streets policies to ensure roads are designed for all users. They can also support mixed-use development to create walkable and bikeable neighborhoods. Additionally, prioritizing investments in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, such as sidewalks and bike lanes, can make active transportation safer and more appealing, fostering a culture of active living.

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