A qualitative study on the role of the built environment for short walking trips

• Built environment factors can be either barriers to walking or secondary attributes.
• Factors related to safety from crime are the most deterrent to walking.
• For car users, availability of car parking is a major barrier to walking.
• Crossing avenues, roundabouts and narrow sidewalks can be barriers for pedestrians.
• Sidewalk cafes and bollards are perceived as obstacles by some participants.

The present study uses a qualitative approach with the aim to identify built environmental factors influencing short walking distances for transportation among adults (18–65 years), with special attention to micro-scale attributes. Three focus groups were held in Valencia (Spain) and conducted with participants who undertook, at least once a week, one short non-shopping trip in any travel mode (were “short trip” is defined as less than 30–45 min walking distance). A thematic analysis of the data was performed and six categories of factors emerged related to the built environment. Factors were also classified as either barriers to walking, or secondary factors related to the attractiveness of the walking experience and the pedestrian route choice. Results show that factors related to safety from crime are the most deterrent to walking (absence of people and poor street lighting), along with the availability of car parking at destination for car users. Crossing large avenues and roundabouts in Valencia can be a deterrent to walking because of the high density of pedestrian traffic signals with a poor coordination, leading to long crossing waiting times. Secondary factors such as wide sidewalks, the presence of trees, and low traffic volume roads were mentioned by almost all participants. Our findings suggest that sidewalk width may not only influence pedestrian route choice but can be a barrier to walking. Focus groups also revealed that sidewalk cafes and bollards were seen as physical obstacles by some participants.