The International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP) is a global network of non-profit organisations and individuals advocating for pedestrian rights, safe and inclusive public space, and walkable urban environments. The federation works across policy, research, and capacity-building to promote walking as a fundamental and equitable mode of mobility. It collaborates with civil society organisations, academic institutions, and international bodies on issues related to road safety, urban accessibility, and sustainable transport..
The IFP was founded in 1963 as an umbrella organisation for national pedestrian advocacy groups. In its early decades, the federation focused on improving conditions for pedestrians and facilitating international exchange on pedestrian policy and safety.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, IFP organised a series of international conferences addressing pedestrian issues, including meetings in The Hague (1972 and 1979), London (1975), Amsterdam (1975), Geilo (1976), Paris (1978), Gothenburg (1981), and Perpignan (1983). These events provided a platform for discussion on urban design, road safety, and pedestrian rights. In subsequent years, the organisation continued its activities through more occasional and informal meetings.
IFP also developed communication and knowledge-sharing initiatives, including the quarterly newsletter Pedestrian International and a series of technical publications titled The Voice of the Pedestrian.
From the late 1980s onwards, the federation expanded its scope beyond industrialised countries to include a stronger focus on low- and middle-income contexts, where rapid motorisation was associated with rising levels of traffic-related fatalities and injuries among pedestrians. In 1991, IFP co-sponsored the International Conference on Traffic Safety (ICOTS) in New Delhi, held under the theme âÂÂThe Vulnerable Road UserâÂÂ. The organisation also contributed to the establishment of the Pedestrians Association of India and supported the creation of new pedestrian advocacy groups in different regions.
In 2005, IFP underwent a relaunch, introducing a new visual identity and website, and reinforcing its role as an international network of organisations and individuals working on walking and public space.
In 2009, IFP participated in the First Global Meeting of NGOs Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims and became a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration.
In 2013, the federation contributed to the development of the Pedestrian Safety Manual published by the World Health Organization, and formalised its mission and vision statements.
Between 2017 and 2019, IFP was a partner in the European-funded project MORE (Multi-modal Optimisation of Road-space in Europe), which focused on the allocation of urban street space among different transport modes.
From 2019 onwards, the organisation increased its international engagement, including contributions to the European UnionâÂÂs General Safety Regulation and participation in the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm.
In 2020, IFP expanded its policy capacity through the recruitment of dedicated staff, enabling more sustained engagement with international processes such as the work of the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.
In 2023, IFP began participation in new research and innovation projects funded under the European UnionâÂÂs Horizon Europe programme, including UPPER, REALLOCATE and JUST STREETS.
IFP works to promote a shift away from car-centric urban planning towards people-centred approaches that prioritise walking and public space. Its work is grounded in principles of accessibility, equity, and sustainability. The organisation emphasises:
A world where walking is valued as a natural right, where public space is safe, caring, comfortable and inviting for all. Cities are no longer hostile or car-centred: walking becomes a default mode for everyday life, exploration, curiosity and connection.
IFP operates as a global network of member organisations and individual advocates working on walking and public space across different regions. Its membership includes civil society organisations, advocacy groups, researchers, and practitioners engaged in issues related to pedestrian safety, accessibility, and urban mobility. Their network is organised in two key groups, pedestrian organisations who can join as key voting members and become part of the IFP board, while individual advocates can join the IFP Network that focuses on advocates, activists, academics and other pedestrian advocates who are not part of organisations.
The federation facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange among its members, supporting the sharing of practices, tools, and policy approaches adapted to diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. Through this network, IFP contributes to strengthening local and national pedestrian movements, particularly in contexts where walking constitutes a primary mode of transport but remains underrepresented in policy and investment.
The organisationâÂÂs activities reflect a broad international scope, with over 50 members in over 40 countries and collaborations spanning all continents. This global perspective informs its advocacy and research, emphasising context-sensitive approaches to improving conditions for walking and public space.
Current list of organisation members:
The IFP engages in policy advocacy at local, national, and international levels to promote walking as a central component of sustainable and equitable transport systems. Its work addresses issues such as pedestrian safety, accessibility, public space design, and the integration of walking into broader mobility and urban development strategies.
The organisationâÂÂs advocacy is aligned with approaches such as Vision Zero, Safe System Approach and Road Danger Reduction, emphasising the prevention of fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians through systemic changes in infrastructure, regulation, and governance.
In 2026, IFP published a policy framework titled Streets for People: Policies for the Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026âÂÂ2035), which sets out a series of priority actions aimed at improving conditions for walking globally. The framework addresses areas such as governance, funding, street design, safety, and the role of walking in climate and public health agendas.
The document outlines policy recommendations including the allocation of dedicated funding for walking, the rebalancing of street space, and the integration of pedestrian needs into transport and urban planning systems. It is intended to contribute to international discussions on sustainable mobility and the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport.
The organisation contributes to research on walking and urban environments, including participation in international collaborative projects and the production of reports and policy-oriented publications.
Its work addresses topics such as:
IFP has been involved in research and innovation initiatives under the Horizon Europe framework such as MORE, UPPER, REALLOCATE and JUST STREETS.
IFP develops and promotes tools to support the analysis and improvement of pedestrian environments. These include participatory and data-driven approaches such as walk audits, walk-along interviews, and mapping methodologies.
These tools are used to gather evidence on pedestrian conditions and to support inclusive and participatory urban planning processes.