Does fear of crime discourage walkers? A social-ecological exploration of fear as a deterrent to walking

Few studies have specifically investigated fear of crime as a deterrent to walking. This study tested the hypothesis that fear would inhibit residents from walking in their local neighborhoods. Homeowners (n = 1,044) in Perth, Western Australia, reported their fear of crime, neighborhood problems and walking, and objective environmental measures were generated for each participant's neighborhood. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the association between fear and walking, with progressive adjustment for other correlates. Fear was associated with lower odds of transport walking (OR = 0.79, p = .034); however, car access was ubiquitous so fearful participants could avoid walking. A similar association between fear and recreational walking attenuated after controlling for other neighborhood factors. Findings suggest that the capacity for fear to deter recreational walkers is not fixed, and that a supportive environment can lessen its impact. Community initiatives that encourage social interaction between residents and improve neighborhood aesthetics may increase levels of recreational walking.