Kevin Klinkenberg - Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction

Praise for

Why I Walk

Kevin Klinkenberg, one of the most productive urban thinkers around, points us toward development that adds economic value, build community and improves environmental performance.

John Norquist, President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism

This is one of those books that make you smarter. Not book smart but street smart, which is appropriate since Kevin is writing about walking and biking city streets instead of driving them. While he talks about his own life and experiences, he gives you areas to examine in your own life. He has figured out a few things, but hes not preachy about it. The book is organized into 4 areas that are relatable to all of us and where most of us could create some thoughtful improvements. Dont just take Kevins word for itcheck out the voices of other people hes included who are living and walking in very different cities (Denver to Miami, D.C. to Durham, and L.A. to Brooklyn). In whatever way you define quality of life, this book will inspire you to consider your daily routines and rituals and take simple, meaningful steps (pun intended) to refresh and enrich your life.

Dawn Taylor, Executive Director, American Institute of Architects Kansas City

Why I Walk provides an insightful look into the implications of walkability upon the daily life. Kevin explores how his choice of walking impacts overall health, psyche and ultimately the pocketbook. More importantly, Why I Walk provides fundamental and real-world ramifications as to the implications of a walkable lifestyle. Kevins thoughtful and personal commentary certainly has made me rethink my day-to-day transportation choices.

Jim Potter, partner, Development Initiatives, Kansas City MO

While it paints a less-than-flattering picture of our present culture that this book needed to be written, were all very fortunate that it was. If youre looking for common-sense, benefit-rich reasons to get walking (or biking), youll find them here. And your life will be better for it.

Scott Doyon, Principal, PlaceMakers LLC

Copyright 2014 by Kevin Klinkenberg.

All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh.

Author image: from author; background image iStock (Brian A. Jackson)

First printing June 2014.

New Society Publishers acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-86571-772-5

eISBN: 978-1-55092-569-2

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Why I Walk should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below.

To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America)

1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com

Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to:

New Society Publishers

P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada

(250) 247-9737

New Society Publishers mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. The interior pages of our bound books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council-registered acid-free paper that is 100% post-consumer recycled (100% old growth forest-free), processed chlorine-free, and printed with vegetable-based, low-VOC inks, with covers produced using FSC-registered stock. New Society also works to reduce its carbon footprint, and purchases carbon offsets based on an annual audit to ensure a carbon neutral footprint. For further information, or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Klinkenberg, Kevin, author

Why I walk : taking a step in the right direction / Kevin Klinkenberg.

Includes index.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-0-86571-772-5 (pbk.).--ISBN 978-1-55092-569-2 (ebook)

1. Walking. 2. Walking--Economic aspects. 3. Walking--Health aspects. 4. Walking--Social aspects. I. Title.

RA781.65.K65 2014

613.7176

C2014-902060-0
C2014-902061-9

Contents

W hen I finally sat down to write this book, it surprised me how quickly it spilled out on the page. But I never would have gotten to that point without the help and encouragement of so many people. While there are far too many to mention, Id like to highlight just a few:

To my family, and especially my brother Dean. Theyve given me nothing but love and support over the years, and Deans advice as a previously published author was invaluable.

To Andrea Gollin, who I first met as part of the Knight Fellowship in Community Building in Miami. Andrea walked me through editing and proofreading, and helped turn this into a real book.

To Stu Sirota & Lee Sobel, who are my regular email buddies, tough critics and lifelong pals that also met through the Knight program and the CNU.

To all of the contributors for their own personal stories wow, I was blown away by the quality of what you all produced. Thanks for responding to my request.

To all of my friends and former co-workers in KC, especially Brian, Dan, Jerod, Katie & the whole 180 gang. You know who you are, and this wouldnt be possible without all of our efforts over the years.

To my new friends and colleagues in Savannah for opening your arms to me.

To New Society Publishers for taking a chance on my little book.

And finally, to the lovely Jamie Andersen for being so supportive of my efforts, putting up with all of the talk about it and for joining me on many great walks. Well have many more long walks to come.

All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.

Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols

T he premise of this book is very simple I like to walk. Whether its for a night out on the town, getting to work, running errands or even going to the grocery store, I prefer to get where Im going using my own two feet.

For years, friends and family have regarded this choice of mine with, well, curiosity. For them and the majority of Americans, the idea of walking to a destination as opposed to driving seems rather strange.