WalkScore

[pegkerr]

Saw this at poor_skills:

A free service called WalkScore instantly calculates how walkable your neighborhood is, based on the distance to various amenities, and provides a score of 1 to 100. Just input a street address, and you'll receive a WalkScore in a few seconds. http://www.walkscore.com

It's not perfect! There are problems with how it defines various locations (counting strip clubs as restaurants), and sometimes it reports nonexistent businesses (such as a phantom McDonald's). It doesn't take topography into account, such as whether something is up a steep hill. If you don't like something about it, please take a moment and tell WalkScore. Good developers appreciate helpful feedback, and perhaps it will improve the service. http://www.walkscore.com/contact-us.shtml

My neighborhood scores 58 out of 100 (50 - 70 = Some Walkable Locations: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.)

V. interesting

Comments

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

8 out of 100! Let's see anyone less walkable!

I'm sure the farm I grew up on would score 0 (or 1 if 0 isn't possible). No retail within 10 miles. However, I spent most of my youth walking. I walked around the farm, I walked through the woods for hours at a time, I walked over and around and through things.

Similarly, people walk a lot in our neighborhood. There aren't any sidewalks, but why would there be? There's nothing wrong with walking on the road, and everyone does.

I think what they're measuring there is walking to GET somewhere. That's fine, but it's also fine to just walk because it's good to just walk.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Yup, the farm I grew up on gets 0/100. With any luck, that means they won't build any subdivisions there.