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Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction
Are you tired of....
Wouldn't you like to hand people a funny, short and insightful look at a culture of walking vs. a culture of driving?
Mayor Knox White, of Greenville, SC says about
"Kevin.....Just meant to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, "Why I walk." I like the way you blended your personal thoughts with those of others. Your message resonated with me--and, yes, I have changed a few habits as a result!!"
Jeremy Senko, of Spacing.ca
"The book is literally filled with humor and optimism. I could imagine that Klinkenberg sat down every night to pen a little more of his short book after a brisk walk fired him up with endorphins, a feeling that was contagious and present on every page."
Why I Walk is a personal story of the benefits of living in a walkable neighborhood. In the book, the author describes the benefits in four discrete Financial, Freedom, Health and Social. The book provides a window into his life and to others who live like him. And, it hopefully explains to those that don't understand just why this is such a great way to live.
Kevin Klinkenberg is the principal designer at K2 Urban Design. For more than two decades he has been working to create sustainable, sociable environments and walkable communities in cooperation with developers, cities, nonprofits, and public agencies.
Wouldn't you like to hand people a funny, short and insightful look at a culture of walking vs. a culture of driving?
Mayor Knox White, of Greenville, SC says about
"Kevin.....Just meant to tell you how much I enjoyed your book, "Why I walk." I like the way you blended your personal thoughts with those of others. Your message resonated with me--and, yes, I have changed a few habits as a result!!"
Jeremy Senko, of Spacing.ca
"The book is literally filled with humor and optimism. I could imagine that Klinkenberg sat down every night to pen a little more of his short book after a brisk walk fired him up with endorphins, a feeling that was contagious and present on every page."
Why I Walk is a personal story of the benefits of living in a walkable neighborhood. In the book, the author describes the benefits in four discrete Financial, Freedom, Health and Social. The book provides a window into his life and to others who live like him. And, it hopefully explains to those that don't understand just why this is such a great way to live.
Kevin Klinkenberg is the principal designer at K2 Urban Design. For more than two decades he has been working to create sustainable, sociable environments and walkable communities in cooperation with developers, cities, nonprofits, and public agencies.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2014
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236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 31, 2019
This book captured and put into words many of my loose half-formed ideas about walking and biking. It was also a great intro to urbanism. Great read.
June 4, 2015
Ever since I read Jeff Speck’s Walkable City, I've noticed just how many books on walking there are. It’s that state of awareness similar to when one buys a new car (interesting metaphor I know). When one buys a new car, you start seeing it everywhere. It is not that there are really 'more' of your exact car, of course. One is just more conscious of them - perceiving what we had initially taken for granted on a daily basis. This can also be the reason, that when we start to walk more, we start to notice just how many other people out there walk, themselves.
All this to say, that once I started reading books about walking, I started noticing just how many books about walking there were. Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction is very different though, insofar that it does not talk about how cities and infrastructure can change to improve walking public. This book is all for the individual - a self-help book if you will - about how to get up and out on your own two legs.
Absolutely nothing that Klinkenberg talks about in his book is beyond belief. He sticks to personal experience and shares why walking is more beneficial than we may notice. Along the way he points out the how’s and why’s of why some cities are better with walkability, and how our infrastructure has failed us at many points, but he doesn’t dwell here and he never sounds bitter. The book is literally filled with humor and optimism. I could imagine that Klinkenberg sat down every night to pen a little more of his short book after a brisk walk fired him up with endorphins, a feeling that was contagious and present on every page.
The book has a pretty basic structure that works: the chapters are the different motivations for walking (financial, freedom, health, and social), each with their own subcategories - quick breakdowns of ideas related to the overall chapter. Near the end of the book Klinkenberg looks at some of the downsides to walking, but then follows that with an epilogue titled “What You Can Do.”
He never leaves issues on a sour note, but also doesn’t shy away from the fact that walkability in certain cities and places in our western world can be difficult, if not downright impossible. In a funny and very direct way around this issue, he tells the reader just to move (as in pack up your belongings and go). That’s it. Don’t think about it. Just move to a different place with a better walkability rating, as it won’t just increase your health, but lower your monthly budget, and increase your chances of reselling your house for (at worst) the same as what you paid for it, as walkable neighborhoods are statistically less likely to peak and valley in the real estate market.
Klinkenberg says this without remorse and, in a way, he is right. For whatever reason you may want to start walking more, if the infrastructure around you isn’t up for the challenge then how can you succeed? And beyond just bettering the planet, walking is something that betters ourselves, mentally and physically, which is another big point that Klinkenberg drives home.
In the end, Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction was a simple book, and it was in this simplicity where it truly shone. It was smart, witty, and moved along at such a quick pace that I had it read in a day. I feel like I could pick it back up whenever I wanted to jump to a certain paragraph that motivated me to get up and out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, as a final side note, had I not chosen to walk and take transit as my daily means of transportation, I would probably still be trying to find the time to finish the book and write this review. Klinkenberg would be proud.
All this to say, that once I started reading books about walking, I started noticing just how many books about walking there were. Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction is very different though, insofar that it does not talk about how cities and infrastructure can change to improve walking public. This book is all for the individual - a self-help book if you will - about how to get up and out on your own two legs.
Absolutely nothing that Klinkenberg talks about in his book is beyond belief. He sticks to personal experience and shares why walking is more beneficial than we may notice. Along the way he points out the how’s and why’s of why some cities are better with walkability, and how our infrastructure has failed us at many points, but he doesn’t dwell here and he never sounds bitter. The book is literally filled with humor and optimism. I could imagine that Klinkenberg sat down every night to pen a little more of his short book after a brisk walk fired him up with endorphins, a feeling that was contagious and present on every page.
The book has a pretty basic structure that works: the chapters are the different motivations for walking (financial, freedom, health, and social), each with their own subcategories - quick breakdowns of ideas related to the overall chapter. Near the end of the book Klinkenberg looks at some of the downsides to walking, but then follows that with an epilogue titled “What You Can Do.”
He never leaves issues on a sour note, but also doesn’t shy away from the fact that walkability in certain cities and places in our western world can be difficult, if not downright impossible. In a funny and very direct way around this issue, he tells the reader just to move (as in pack up your belongings and go). That’s it. Don’t think about it. Just move to a different place with a better walkability rating, as it won’t just increase your health, but lower your monthly budget, and increase your chances of reselling your house for (at worst) the same as what you paid for it, as walkable neighborhoods are statistically less likely to peak and valley in the real estate market.
Klinkenberg says this without remorse and, in a way, he is right. For whatever reason you may want to start walking more, if the infrastructure around you isn’t up for the challenge then how can you succeed? And beyond just bettering the planet, walking is something that betters ourselves, mentally and physically, which is another big point that Klinkenberg drives home.
In the end, Why I Walk: Taking a Step in the Right Direction was a simple book, and it was in this simplicity where it truly shone. It was smart, witty, and moved along at such a quick pace that I had it read in a day. I feel like I could pick it back up whenever I wanted to jump to a certain paragraph that motivated me to get up and out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and, as a final side note, had I not chosen to walk and take transit as my daily means of transportation, I would probably still be trying to find the time to finish the book and write this review. Klinkenberg would be proud.
March 29, 2023
This book succeeds because it reads just as if a friend or colleague would tell you, clearly and without preaching, why he walks: because he enjoys it and sees direct benefits that mean much to his life in terms of finances, health, and social interaction. Thus, if you are a walker, you could use this book to explain to your friends why you walk. If you don't walk for transportation, you can read a good, non-judgmental account of why you might consider it. If you think that walking places for transportation is a bit kooky--this book is for you because it can help you see how normal and fun walking can be.
More profoundly, the fact that this book even has to be written shows how walking as a form of transportation is a blind spot in many people's minds, including decision-makers who might benefit from walking. As such, I recommend this book as a good gift for your local representative, mayor, or transportation planner.
More profoundly, the fact that this book even has to be written shows how walking as a form of transportation is a blind spot in many people's minds, including decision-makers who might benefit from walking. As such, I recommend this book as a good gift for your local representative, mayor, or transportation planner.
April 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated Klinkenberg's enthusiasm and passion for the topic. I also appreciated that while he sometimes has rosy-coloured glasses on he a) is willing to put them on because if people cannot dream big then big dreams cannot happen, and b) he recognizes that not everyone is able to do all of what he does (e.g. many places are not all that walkable). I enjoyed the inserts that Klinkenberg included of others' stories about 'why they walk' and the bits of research and facts from outside sources that he sprinkled through the book.
Overall a great read.
Overall a great read.
July 10, 2017
While I did enjoy this book, the author was very repetitive. I felt like he kept reiterating the same things, but just at a slightly different angle. Despite this slight annoyance, I’ve found myself reconsidering getting a brand new car this year. I’m always trying to get my husband to walk to more places and while completely cutting a car out of my life is out of the question, I’m now leaning more towards getting something used (and cheaper) as well as buying a bicycle. Sure, I’ll eventually need that new car I’ve got my eye one, but right now I could still get away with something smaller and cheaper. Why not rake in those savings while I still can, challenge myself (and my husband) to use walk/bicycle more, and reduce my carbon footprint? I once lived without a car (for two years in Hawaii, in an area with a Walk Score of 53) and it has forever ruined my faith in public transportation, however I got around locally by bicycle which was fun (despite two bikes being stolen). In all of my years of walking, though, I have never experienced running into friends and/or talking with strangers, which is what the author claims to happen. More often than not, it’s just a silent smile exchange.
June 12, 2019
Quick read with some humor. Unrealistic to get up and move to a place with a better walk score - move away from kids and grandkids? No way! It did remind me that I don't always have to drive - there are places close enough to bike. So, I rode my bike to work the other day and then I couldn't breathe due to seasonal allergies. Go figure.
January 3, 2020
A very elegant, well-written and intimate account of the personal and public benefits of walking and walkable communities. It's an excellent summary for the planning practitioner, as well as suburban planners hoping to talk their spouses into living in walkable communities (well....I hope).
December 30, 2023
3.5/5! A nice and fun read oddly ahead if its time :)
January 27, 2015
Nothing new here but still a nice summary of the benefits of in-town living in terms of health (mental and physical), esthetics, and the environment. This is best for those who do all their moving -- to store, job, recreation, church, etc. -- by car and need to begin to unravel the nightmare that we've created. We won't have a choice -- this is the way most of us will have to live as the 21st century continues. In many ways, it will make for richer, more connected lives.
June 4, 2015
This wasn't exactly amazing or terrible. It was a relatively quick read that went over reasons and benefits for making walking a part of your life. Not really sure how to feel about it. I suppose this was a bit "magazine-y" in a way for my tastes. However the one important thing to take away is get off your tush and walk around! Can't deny that! LOL
October 22, 2014
a short, easy to read explanation of the financial, health and social benefits of walking more and driving less.
Read
December 19, 2015A fine analysis
This is a fine analysis on the advantages of walking. The financial implications were also considered, which were very interesting.
This is a fine analysis on the advantages of walking. The financial implications were also considered, which were very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews