Austria’s population is ageing. As people grow older, walking becomes an increasingly important form of mobility. Well-designed walking infrastructure and effective traffic-calming measures encourage independent mobility, promote health and support social participation.

VCÖ-Factsheet "Promoting healthy and independent mobility as we age" PDF-Download

In 2025, almost 1.9 million people in Austria are over the age of 65, accounting for 20 per cent of the total population. This proportion is projected to rise to 25 per cent by 2035. The increase in the number of people over 85 is particularly striking: it is set to double from around 230,000 in 2025 to 465,800 in 2045, and to more than double in almost all Austrian regions by 2050.^1,2 Demographic change is also altering the demands placed on transport systems. Transport and urban planning must take these changing needs into account today.

Walking becomes more important later in life

For older adults, being and staying mobile is essential for participating in social activities and leading independent lives. Mobility limitations can affect health and well-being.³ As people age, they travel less often, over shorter distances and by slower modes of transport. The proportion of journeys made on foot increases from the age of 65.⁴ More than one quarter of all journeys made by people aged 65 and over are on foot, a figure comparable with that for children aged 6 to 14.^5,6 Providing safe and attractive conditions for walking supports independence.

Mobility changes with age

People over 65 walk about 15 minutes a day on average, which is almost 50 per cent more than the average for all other age groups.⁷ In Salzburg, people over 85 walk four out of ten journeys.⁸ A German study reports that people without access to a car make significantly more journeys on foot.⁹ In Austria, this applies to 42 per cent of people aged 65 and over.¹⁰ The level of mobility among older adults varies significantly. Among 60- to 69-year-olds, the number of journeys is 14 per cent lower than in the group of 30- to 59-year-olds. Among 70- to 79-year-olds, the decrease is 36 per cent, and among those aged 80 and over, it is 50 per cent. This is due to reduced resilience and increasing mobility limitations. The proportion of people with limited mobility rises from 16 per cent among 60- to 69-year-olds to around 50 per cent among 80- to 90-year-olds.¹¹

Mobility systems face new demands

Cognitive and physical functional impairments in older age cause changes in gait and often affect the ability to participate safely in road traffic. Typical limitations include slower reaction times, reduced resilience, quicker onset of fatigue and declining vision and hearing. The latter impair the ability to judge the distance and speed of other road users. Attention, psychomotor skills, flexibility and the speed at which people process information, make decisions and react also decline with age. As a result, older adults may find complex traffic situations overwhelming, which increases the risk of road accidents.^12,13 Medications commonly used by older adults can further impair driving ability.¹⁴

Health promotion and disease prevention

Increased physical activity is an effective way to prevent many age-related illnesses. Those who start exercising early enjoy more healthy life years. However, older adults often fail to meet the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week.15,16 Just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day can help prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.¹⁷ Walking is an easy way to stay active each day and to maintain independence later in life. Frequent walking also reduces the risk of chronic back pain.¹⁸ Apart from the physical benefits, walking alleviates anxiety and depression, improves sleep, memory and cognitive performance and reduces the risk of dementia.¹⁹ Furthermore, walking promotes social interaction and helps reduce loneliness, which is a recognised health risk.²⁰

Enhancing quality of life and longevity

Walking an extra 30 minutes a day on average can significantly improve health-related quality of life and promote better sleep.²¹ Neighbourhood walkability shows a positive effect on blood pressure.²² The number of steps per day also affects the risk of mortality. For people aged 60 and over in particular, a higher daily step count increases the likelihood of a longer life.^23,24 Walking fewer than 10,000 steps per day already provides health benefits.

Traffic calming lowers accident risk

Between 2021 and 2024, 107 pedestrians over the age of 65 were killed in traffic accidents in Austria. Most of the fatal accidents occurred in built-up areas with a speed limit of 50 km/h on the general carriageway.²⁵ Due to their physical condition, older adults are at greater risk of suffering a severe injury or being killed in traffic accidents.²⁶ Pedestrians aged over 60 are twice as likely to be killed in a collision with a car travelling at 50 km/h as those aged between 15 and 60. Reducing speed is an effective way to lower both the severity and the risk of accidents. At a collision speed of 50 km/h, the risk of pedestrians over 60 suffering a fatal injury is 70 per cent; at 30 km/h, it drops to 30 per cent.²⁷

Cooling shade as protection against heat

Walking speed decreases with age. Activities such as navigating the streets can reduce walking speed by more than 40 per cent. As a result, people over 65 take almost six minutes longer than younger adults to walk one kilometre.^29,30 On hot days, they face an increased risk of exhaustion and health problems. Furthermore, 57 per cent of people aged over 65 say they  do less physical activity in hot weather.³¹ An increase in the number of hot days poses a significant risk to many older adults, potentially leading to reduced mobility. Green spaces and water bodies mitigate heat stress and lower land surface temperatures by up to eight degrees Celsius compared to built-up areas.^32,33

Making streets easy to cross

Pedestrian traffic lights are usually set to a walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, which can be stressful for older adults and people using walking aids, such as walkers.³⁴ To enable slower pedestrians to cross the road within the designated time, the standard assumed walking speed should be reduced. Refuge islands allow pedestrians to stop in the centre of the road and make crossing easier, even where there are no traffic lights. Smart traffic lights that detect when people with limited mobility intend to cross the road can extend the green phase to allow more time.³⁵

Traffic calming creates safe space

Austria’s population is ageing and people aged 65 and over are particularly vulnerable as road users. Walking is one of the most important and common forms of transport for older adults, making them especially dependent on safe and attractive walking infrastructure. Furthermore, walking is essential for health, as it significantly contributes to maintaining mobility and independence, as well as physical and mental fitness. Good walking conditions are also important to support access to public transport. Involving older adults in local planning and implementation processes is crucial, as they know their needs and their living environment well.

30 km/h speed limit benefits both young and old

Since July 2024, it has been easier for towns and municipalities to introduce a speed limit of 30 km/h in areas with a particular need for protection. These include not only kindergartens and schools but also retirement homes and care facilities. However, 30 km/h speed limits should be introduced more widely, as they improve road safety. Alongside improvements in infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly urban planning, initiatives that encourage people to walk together can be motivating and help combat loneliness. A safe, accessible and attractive transport system benefits not only older adults and people with limited mobility but all age group.

Katharina Jaschinsky, VCÖ ‑ Mobility with a future

„As we grow older, a safe walking infrastructure becomes increasingly important. It is crucial for preventing falls, promoting health and maintaining a good quality of life.“

VCÖ-Factsheet "Promoting healthy and independent mobility as we age" PDF-Download

Klimaaktiv mobil advises and supports relevant stakeholders, decision-makers and investors in the development and implementation of climate-friendly measures in the transport sector. Info: klimaaktivmobil.at

VCÖ is responsible for the content and editing of the VCÖ factsheet. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the supporting institutions. This factsheet was financed by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.