Inconsistencies in associations between crime and walking: a reflection of poverty and density

摘要

Higher crime rates theoretically deter walking, yet empirical analyses show mixed results. Wehypothesized that high walking rates occurs in high density and lower income areas that tend tohave higher levels of crime. Furthermore, gender, car ownership and relative wealth maypotentially moderate associations between crime and walking. In an attempt to disentanglethese effects, a statewide New Jersey survey (n= 673) of walking and perceptions of the socialand built environment were linked to crime and census data. We identified municipal correlatesof violent crime rates and used a sequential modeling approach to estimate walking. Womenwere more likely to walk for exercise, but less likely as crime rose. Carless households andwealthier respondents were positively associated with non-discretionary walking, but walkedless when crime rates were higher. High density, poorer municipalities have higher crime ratesand also have more walking, explaining discrepancies in results of previous studies.