The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week will be held from 12 to 18 May 2025, focusing on improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, the most vulnerable road users. The initiative calls for policy reforms, infrastructure improvements, and safer urban planning to encourage active, sustainable, and equitable transport.
8th UN Global Road Safety Week Theme: “Make Walking and Cycling Safe”
Key Objectives
- Mobilize governments, advocates, and communities for safer streets.
- Improve safety for walking and cycling to reduce road deaths.
- Encourage sustainable urban mobility and healthier lifestyles.
- Push policy-level integration of walking and cycling infrastructure.
Global Context
| Statistic | Details |
| Annual Road Fatalities | ~1.2 million globally |
| % of Road Deaths: Walkers/Cyclists | Over 25% |
| National Policies for Walking/Cycling | Only <33% countries have them |
| Roads with Cycle Lanes | Only 0.2% globally |
| Safe Roads (any protection) | Less than 1% worldwide |
Region-Specific Fatalities (2011–2021)
| WHO Region | Pedestrian Deaths | Cyclist Deaths |
| South-East Asia | ↑ 42% | – |
| European Region | – | ↑ 50% |
| Western Pacific | – | ↑ 88% |
Observation: While global pedestrian deaths have slightly decreased and cyclist deaths remained steady, regional spikes indicate growing dangers in many parts of the world.
WHO Toolkit: For Safer Walking & Cycling
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a Toolkit on Active Mobility to support implementation of the 2025 theme.
Toolkit Focus Areas (7 Priority Policy Actions):
- Policy Integration: Include walking and cycling in transport, health, and environment policies.
- Infrastructure: Build safe, connected walking and cycling networks.
- Street Design: Ensure inclusive, accessible streets.
- Behaviour Change: Promote safe road use practices.
- Space Allocation: Prioritize walking/cycling in road planning.
- Transport Integration: Link active travel with public transport.
- Incentives: Promote walking and cycling through awareness and support.
Global Plan for Decade of Action (2021–2030)
- Objective: Halve global road traffic deaths by 2030.
- Endorsed by the UN; serves as blueprint for national policies.
- Active travel (walking & cycling) is central to multimodal urban mobility systems.