NORWICH – A new initiative from the U.S. Surgeon General has communities all over, including the City of Norwich, calling to question how safe and easily accessible sidewalks are for pedestrians.

“Step it Up!” the Surgeon General’s call to action to promote walking and walkable communities, encourages folks to exercise by walking, and duly calls for municipalities to better support walking and walkability.

According to the Surgeon General, one out of every two U.S. adults is living with a chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes, thus contributing to disability, premature deaths, and skyrocketing health care costs.

By having communities that are more walkable and accessible, health risk factors are drastically reduced, says the Surgeon General. What’s more, walkable communities promote social interaction, safety, air pollution, and make for a more attractive place for businesses to locate.

For Norwich residents like Tom Holmes, a local advocate for walkability and personal health, walkability has become increasingly important at a time when less people are choosing to walk.

“I think that overall, the city is designed very well in terms of walkability, but there are certainly a number of things I would like to see the city do better,” said Holmes.

Although it’s ultimately an individual’s decision to walk, Holmes explained that walking can be encouraged by making sidewalks safer. This entails repairing crumbling sidewalks, building sidewalks in busy areas where there currently are none, and keeping walkways clear of snow and ice during the winter.

“We have many, many places where people will shovel their sidewalk, but the next person will not. That doesn’t make for accessibility,” Holmes added.

More of a concern are places of high traffic, such as Weiler Park, where there are no sidewalks and few safe places where pedestrians can cross the street.