We all know that life is grand when you can embrace the benefits of a pedestrian lifestyle in an urban locale.

You’ve likely heard of a Walk Score, Bike Score or Transit Score, but do you really know what is being measured? Do you know how this data is collected and synthesized? Here is a breakdown of these metrics.

What is Walk Score?

Walk Score is group of researchers that includes an advisory board of expert urban planners. For their important work, they have received grants from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. They offer a number of different data products, including walk score, transit score and biker score. They use a patented method of calculating how walkable or pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods are, based on the ability to walk, bike or take public transit.

This information isn’t just useful to prospective home buyers hoping to find a location that lets them live their best pedestrian life. The data is generated to help professional groups like urban planners, realtors and scientists.

These data products were created to promote pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods, based on the belief that having the choice to walk, bike or take public transit is good for communities, residents and for the planet. According to the folks at Walk Score, residents that live in a walkable neighbourhood tend to weigh 6-10 pounds less than those that don’t. Shorter commutes mean less stress and the chance to engage more actively with your community. Try our post, What Are The Real Financial, Emotional And Health Costs Of Commuting?.

Walk, Transit, and Bike scores are available for any address in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. They can also be generated for larger geographic areas, like postal codes.

Toronto Tops Transit and Walk Lists

Guess what? Toronto ranks the second most walkable city in Canada, with the Bay Street Corridor, Church-Yonge Corridor and Kensington-Chinatown areas offering the most accessibility on foot. And while Toronto is ranked as #1 in Canada for Transit, the city ranks much lower on a national scale for Biking. This probably due, in part, to Toronto’s size and inherrant infrastructure. That said, there are most certainly a number of bike-friendly pockets throughout the city. Click here to read my post On Cycling In The City: Then And Now or Cycling The West Toronto Railpath.

How Scores are Calculated

The walk score of a given address (or geographical area) is scored out of 100, based on a number of factors like analyzing multiple walking routes to amenities. Points are awarded on how long it takes to reach amenities on foot. Amenities located within a 5-minute walk are given maximum points, with points subtracted depending on the distance to amenities. For anything beyond a 30 minute walk, no points are awarded. Walk score also takes into account population density, sizes of blocks and intersection density.

Once a score is calculated, it is assigned one of these categories with these criteria:

• 90–100  Walker’s Paradise
  • Daily errands do not require a car.
• 70–89    Very Walkable
  • Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
• 50–69    Somewhat Walkable
  • Some amenities within walking distance.
• 25–49    Car-Dependent
  • A few amenities within walking distance.
• 0–24      Car-Dependent
  • Almost all errands require a car

The Transit Score determines how well a location is serviced by public transit. Transit routes are awarded a “usefulness” score which takes into account things like route, frequency and distance between stops. This criterion is combined for nearby routes and then given a score out of 100.

The score than falls into one of these categories:

• 90–100  Rider’s Paradise
  • World-class public transportation.
• 70–89    Excellent Transit
  • Transit is convenient for most trips.
• 50–69    Good Transit
  • Many nearby public transportation options.
• 25–49    Some Transit
  • A few nearby public transportation options.
• 0–24      Minimal Transit
  • It is possible to get on a bus.

Similarly, the Bike Score is based on a score out of 100. There are four equally weighted components to the calculation of the score, including: bike lanes, hills, destination and road connectivity and the number of bike commuters.

• 90–100 Biker’s Paradise
  • Daily errands can be accomplished on a bike.
• 70–89  Very Bikeable
  • Biking is convenient for most trips.
• 50–69  Bikeable
  • Some bike infrastructure.
• 0–49    Somewhat Bikeable
  • Minimal bike infrastructure.

Having this data, plus categorizing the results, gives residents concrete details to help determine what locations best match their needs for walkablilty.

Read more about Walk Score and their methodology. Also, here’s a neat set of findings by Public Health Ontario, about the intersections between Walk Score and physical fitness, maladies, population density, and more!

If you haven’t already, consider having excellent walk, bike or transit scores high on your wish list with your house hunt. Being able to access essentials and amenities within minutes is just one more reason why urbanites love living  in the city centre, chock-full of hip restaurants, bars, and coffee houses to discover, not to mention a some of the finest shops, boutiques, galleries, and fitness studios! We heart Toronto!

Looking for a place to start your neighbourhood search? If you’re curious which ‘hood might best fit your lifestyle, a tour through Swansea may make up your mind!!

Wouldn’t it be lovely to have the leafy enclave of Swansea as your family’s community, with parks, schools and the awesomeness of Bloor West Village LESS than a 10-minute walk away?

Here’s our awesome new listing at 48 Deforest Road in sweet Swansea that we think everyone should see. This 3bed, 2bath, renovated semi-detached residence (with a finished lower level and semi-detached one-car garage) boasts countless modern upgrades and represents a tremendous opportunity. NOW SOLD!

A Splendid Semi-Detached Residence In Family-Friendly Swansea

Here’s a High Park North beauty we SOLD that had a great Walk Score!  ‘A Stately Purpose-Built Duplex With Lower Level Suite, Steps To High Park’!

We also LEASED this heart-grabbing vintage brick and beam loft perfect for the savvy urbanite who loves the hard loft look. This Vintage Loft, Steps To St. Lawrence Market in a Heritage Building had 1058 square feet of living space spread over two levels?! NOW LEASED!

Can my team and I become your realtors of choice, and guide you to the best of the best Toronto real estate?

With a multi-disciplinary education in housing – and over 30 years experience in the property market – I believe the search for a Home requires engagement on sensory, intellectual and emotional levels. In fact, it’s how I’ve become a top producing realtor.

Here’s some of my blogs which demonstrate the critical process by which I help buyers find the right home:

Dear Urbaneer: I Need A Crash Course In First Time Home Buying

Dear Urbaneer: How Do You Help Buyers Make The Right Real Estate Purchase?

Single And Home Hunting In Toronto

How Toronto Real Estate Near Queen Street – East & West – Is Climbing In Value

With decades of experience navigating the highs and lows of our market, and our commitment to remain acutely aware of shifts and trends, we are here to help without pressure or hassle.

May we be of assistance to you, or someone you love?

Thanks for reading!

-The Urbaneer Team

Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-8000

– we’re here to earn your trust, then your business –

*Did you know we were recently listed as one of The Top 25 Toronto Real Estate Agents To Follow On Twitter! – The Top 50 Blogs On Toronto – and The Top 100 Real Estate Blogs In Canada? Consider signing up in the box below to receive our FREE monthly e-newsletter on housing, culture and design including our love for unique urban homes and other Toronto real estate!

*Love Canadian Housing? Check out Steve’s University Student Mentorship site called Houseporn.ca which focuses on architecture, landscape, design, products and real estate in Canada.