#ROOMTOMOVE

DO YOU HAVE ROOM TO MOVE? 

In many countries, allocation of road space prioritizes motorized traffic. Vulnerable road users, such as walkers and cyclists have insufficient space to move safely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, less people are using cars and motorized transport, more are walking and cycling. There is also a need for people to physically distance from one another, remaining a meter or more apart.   

#RoomToMove taps into the need for better, safer spaces for active modes of transport such as walking and cycling which will make our streets safer, while highlighting the need for physical distancing. 

In many places, more people are walking and cycling and less are driving because of lockdowns and curfews. There is a need for them to remain a meter or more apart. Some authorities are responding by reallocating road space from cars to people on a temporary basis. We want to see more safe, wide spaces for vulnerable road users to move without fear.

#RoomToMove stems from the recent Alliance Live Session on mobility (watch it HERE), and is based on an idea developed by the International Federation of Pedestrians and the panelists to enable NGOs and citizens to contribute to safer spaces for road users during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Take Part

To take part in #RoomToMove:

1. If it is safe to do so, GO OUTSIDE following all the physical distancing rules for your country/city.
2. STRIKE A ‘PHYSICAL DISTANCING’ POSE: see if the space is wide enough to physically distance without danger from cars. Use a ruler, chalk, family members…be creative.
3. TAKE A PICTURE OR VIDEO. Only take a photo if it is safe to do so.
4. POST YOUR PICTURE/VIDEO on social media with the hashtag #RoomToMove in English and your local language. (Translations for widely-used languages: Spanish: #EspacioParaMoverse; Portuguese: #EspacoParaMover; French: #SeDeplacerSansDanger). Tag local decision makers/influencers who could make change happen.
5. COMMENT ON and SHARE each other’s posts.

WHY #ROOMTOMOVE

• Physical distancing (keeping a 1m/2m distance from others) will be needed for a long time
• During COVID-19, more people are using active ways to get around e.g. walking, cycling
• Most space is assigned to cars – this makes it difficult to walk and cycle safely at a distance
• COVID-19 is a driver for change, through it we may see a shift safer, more active, sustainable streets 
• Safer walking spaces to: 
  • Save lives from road injury
  • Enable physical distancing
  • Encourage people to think critically about the way that road space is allocated
  • Encourage active mobility

SEE #ROOMTOMOVE PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD