AS someone who walks 35 minutes every day between home and school, I have first-hand experience of the challenges and prejudices that the walkers face. Many people who walk to their destinations are often offered rides by motorists and motorcyclists as if walking is a forced mode of transportation.

Unfortunately, walking has become stigmatised in some places and is associated with a lower social status, even though it can be a choice for some individuals. Walking is generally seen as a sign of poverty or of lower social status.

The fact that strangers offer you rides while you are walking is a reflection of this stigma. While some may offer rides out of kindness, others may view you as someone in need of help or ‘charity’. This can be frustrating and demeaning, especially when you are walking by choice.

Walking should not be stigmatised or looked down upon. In fact, walking can have numerous benefits for individuals and communities, including improved health, reduced traffic congestion, cleaner environment, and a reduced carbon footprint.

In Gilgit, as in many other places, people often choose to ride in luxury cars or other vehicles for short distances even though walking would be a viable option in such cases. This can contribute to negative environmental impacts, such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as increased noise pollution.

Encouraging walking for at least short distances may help address some of these negative impacts. By promoting the benefits of walking, we can encourage individuals and communities to choose more sustainable habits.

Building walkable communities requires a fundamental shift in our mindset. We need to invest in infrastructure that makes walking safe for people of all ages.

We also need to challenge the societal norms that promote the use of cars as the primary mode of transportation. By doing so, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

We must work together to break down the stigmas surrounding walking, and prioritise it as a viable, respectable, admirable and healthy lifestyle choice.

Rakhshanda Abbas
Gilgit

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2023