Measuring walkability and bikeability for health equity and intervention research: a scoping review

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe self-report and audit-based measurement tools of neighbourhood walkability and bikeability for health equity and intervention research. We conducted a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus with full text via EBSCO in March 2022. We extracted data from a total of 35 papers which reported on 23 self-report and 15 audit-based measures assessing walkability and bikeability. Studies spanned multiple regions including Africa, America, Australia, and Europe, but most were conducted in the United States (n = 15), followed by Australia (n = 6). The most used self-report measure was the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS), while the audit tools Pedestrian Environment Data Scan and Bridge the Gap Street Segment Tool were each used in two studies. The priority populations most often studied were residents of low socio-economic status/high disadvantage neighbourhoods, racialized groups, women, youth, older adults, and rural populations. Ultimately, there is no one tool that can be recommended for use in all contexts and with all priority populations; rather, tools may require adaptations to specific contexts and populations of interest.