Planning a Trip to New York City? Why Walkability Matters
When you’re planning a trip to a big city, one of the first questions many travelers ask is how easy it will be to get around. Do you need to rent a car, or can you explore the city by walking and using public transportation?
A new study that looked at cities around the world tried to answer that question, and the results may surprise people who are planning a visit to New York City.They analyzed 90 cities worldwide to see how easy they are to navigate without a car. They looked at several factors that affect how convenient it is to move around a city.
These included how close people are to restaurants, stores, and essential services, the number of car-free spaces, overall safety levels, public transportation costs, and how many people commute by walking, biking, or public transit. Using this information, researchers created a walkability score out of 100 for each city.
New York City Ranks Highest in the U.S.
Among the cities in the United States, New York City ranked the highest, but when compared globally, it came in at number 61 overall. According to the study, about 53% of people in New York City live near essential services like shops and restaurants. The city also stands out because over 70% of commuters get around by walking, biking, or using public transportation..
The City’s Walkability Score
Even with those strong numbers, New York City’s overall walkability score was 41.18 out of 100. Safety ratings and other infrastructure factors helped with the final ranking. While the city performs well in some areas, these other factors kept it from ranking higher worldwide.
What This Means for Visitors
Although New York City did not rank near the top globally, it still stands out as one of the easiest cities in the United States for visitors to explore without a car. With its extensive subway system, walkable neighborhoods, and countless attractions close together, many travelers find they can easily experience the city on foot or by public transportation.
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