Analysis: Urban spaces with safe pedestrian crossings, accessible pavements and places to rest can encourage outdoor physical activity by older adults
Ireland's population of people over the age of 65 is rising fast, up by nearly 28,000 from last year. That’s thousands more parents, grandparents and neighbours who deserve to step outside with confidence and comfort. While we celebrate active ageing, we’re still failing to make parks, footpaths and public spaces truly usable for all. Without smooth paths, safe crossings, benches, public toilets and longer pedestrian light cycles, daily outings become risky or impossible.
For many older adults, staying indoors feels safer, but comes at the cost of health, independence, and connection. As Mary Harkin from Age & Opportunity puts it, "there's little point in making really beautiful public spaces if older people are not confident to walk around them because there are no clean toilets or comfortable seats to sit on".
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From RTÉ One's Claire Byrne Live in 2021, how to make public spaces more inclusive
According to the World Health Organisation, "every move counts towards better health". Regular activity lowers the risk of disease and improves mood and sleep. Getting outside is even better, it blends movement with fresh air, nature and a chance to meet others, all proven to help mood and mental sharpness. Well-designed outdoor spaces can have a lasting impact on health and happiness, especially for those who use them often. For older adults, walking is the easiest way to stay active. It's free, needs no gear and fits into daily routines.
But when pavements are rough or spaces feel unsafe, even a short walk can become a challenge instead of a pleasure. Fear of falling keeps many older people off Irish footpaths. Recent data from census and accident records between 2019 and 2023 paint a worrying picture.
Avoidable falls are a major and growing health risk for older adults everywhere in Ireland. Data shows that 60% of outdoor falls for those over 65 are caused by uneven pavements, and these are not minor stumbles. Such falls made up nearly a third of personal injury claims in 2024, costing the state €3.1 million. In Cork, the city council received 583 complaints about dangerous footpaths between January 2023 and May 2024, many from older adults unable to risk leaving their homes. Some suffered injuries so severe they needed surgery. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) reported in 2017 that over 40% of high-risk older adults experienced falls, with one in five requiring medical attention.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, RTÉ's Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely reports on the programme to support independent living for older people to prevent them entering residential care
Avoiding risk becomes a natural choice when a simple walk can lead to hospitalisation. While innovations like GPS-enabled alert systems and smart walking aids offer support to help older adults feel safer outdoors, especially on uneven pavements, they cannot replace the need for truly accessible environments. Such spaces are essential to foster confidence, independence and equal access to public areas
Street and traffic design adds to the challenges older pedestrians face. Interestingly, tactile paving that helps visually impaired people can be uneven and difficult for older adults with mobility issues. Pedestrian lights that change too quickly or missing crossings make busy roads hard to navigate. In fact, one in three Irish adults aged 65 to 74 walk slower than the speed needed to cross Irish roads safely within the current pedestrian light cycle.
"Pedestrian light settings often do not match older adults' walking abilities", says Dr. Orna Donoghue from TILDA. "Not being able to cross the road comfortably can impact on older adults' social engagement, physical activity, functional independence and quality of life."
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From RTÉ News, need for footpath space for those with mobility issues highlighted
Such barriers lower confidence and discourage outdoor activity. No wonder then that the Road Safety Authority found that people over 75 are at the greatest risk on Irish roads. Furthermore, the digital divide among this age group limits access to technological aids. Designing safe, inclusive environments where technology supports but does not replace accessibility is essential.
The absence of resting spots like benches and sheltered bus stops has a real impact. A place to pause can be the difference between deciding to go out or stay indoors. In Ireland, where the weather is often unpredictable, the lack of shelter and seating can turn public spaces from invitations into obstacles. Exposure to bad weather and areas associated with antisocial behaviour often discourage older adults from venturing out, especially after dark. Improving park safety and accessibility through well-maintained paths, adequate lighting, and supportive infrastructure is important.
In addition, interactive wayfinding and shared activities can help older adults navigate public spaces more confidently and comfortably. For example, intergenerational outdoor activities such as shared walking routes, scavenger hunts, community gardening or dance-based movement can foster social connections and encourage older adults to engage more confidently with public spaces.
Public spaces which are inviting encourage outdoor movement.
Age-friendly urban environments with safe pedestrian crossings, accessible pavements and places to rest are vital to encouraging outdoor physical activity and boosting wellbeing among older adults. In cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway, older residents living in more age-friendly settings report better quality of life and less loneliness. Age Friendly Ireland promotes walkable streets, seating, and inclusive design to support active ageing. The connection between environment, movement, and wellbeing is clear: supportive public spaces help people stay active, socially connected, and mentally healthy.
Public spaces which are inviting encourage outdoor movement. Ireland has made progress through national initiatives like Age Friendly Ireland, but challenges remain. Accessible design benefits everyone, and evidence shows that physical activity and wellbeing improve when urban spaces are designed with older adults in mind. Without accessible pavements, safe crossings and places to rest, older adults are more likely to stay indoors, affecting their health and wellbeing. By making environments accessible for older adults today, we are building outdoor spaces that will support each of us in the future.
This research is funded by the Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
