02. Building Access - Active Routes

Provide access to active recreational and commuting paths

Rationale: Local outdoor activity routes that are a sufficient length, reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, feature natural elements, and are separate from nearby activity, provide opportunities for relaxation, physical activity and exposure to nature — contributing to decreased risk of chronic cardiovascular conditions as well as psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Requirement Guidance

For buildings with multiple entrances, identify a main building entrance that is used to access a common area within the building such as a lobby, reception area, or main circulation pathway.

Active commuter amenities may qualify for more than one building. A combination of multiple commuter amenities that meet the requirements may qualify for the strategy.

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Multi-Use Paths (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide access to an outdoor multi-use path located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route from a main building entrance of each building within the project.

   Note: The outdoor path may be a shared multi-use path or separate qualifying facilities, with one dedicated to walking and the other to bicycling. If both a qualifying designated bicycle lane and a separate pedestrian trail are located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route of a main building entrance, this also meets the requirement for full credit.

2. Ensure that the identified multi-use path can accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Ensure that the identified multi-use path is a minimum of 1 mile or 1600-meters long in one direction.
4. Ensure that the identified multi-use path is either fully separated from automobile traffic or separated from automobile traffic through physical barriers.
5. The identified trail is connected to natural elements such as trees, vegetation, or water bodies.

6. The identified trail is separated from a motor vehicle right-of-way and is uninterrupted by vehicular traffic, street crossings, or driveways.

   Sidewalks do not qualify as multi-use paths for this strategy.

7. Confirm that the outdoor multi-use path is free of charge to all occupants.

Option 2 - Outdoor Walking Trail (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating that each building is connected to community destinations that meet all of the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide access to an outdoor walking trail located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route from a main building entrance of each building within the project.
2. The identified trail is a minimum of 1/4 mile or 400 meters long in one direction.
3. The identified trail is connected to natural elements such as trees, vegetation, or water bodies.

4. The identified trail is separated from a motor vehicle right-of-way and is uninterrupted by vehicular traffic, street crossings, or driveways.

   Sidewalks do not qualify as walking trails for this strategy.

5. Confirm that the outdoor walking trail is free of charge to all occupants.

Option 3 - Bicycle Lanes or Bike Paths (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating that each building is connected to community destinations that meet all of the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide access to a bicycle lane or pathway located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route from a main building entrance of each building within the project.
2. Ensure that the identified bicycle lane or pathway is a minimum of 1 mile or 1600-meters long in one direction.
3. Ensure that the identified bicycle lane or pathway is either fully separated from automobile traffic or separated from automobile traffic through physical barriers.

Option 4 - Multi-Use Paths Nearby 51% of Buildings (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating that each building is connected to community destinations that meet all of the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide access to an outdoor multi-use path located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route from a main building entrance of 51% of the building(s) within the project.

   Note: The outdoor path may be a shared multi-use path or separate qualifying facilities, with one dedicated to walking and the other to bicycling. If both a qualifying designated bicycle lane and a separate pedestrian trail are located within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking route of a main building entrance, this also meets the requirement for full credit.

2. Ensure that the identified multi-use path can accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Ensure that the identified multi-use path is a minimum of 1 mile or 1600-meters long in one direction.
4. Ensure that the identified multi-use path is either fully separated from automobile traffic or separated from automobile traffic through physical barriers.
5. The identified trail is connected to natural elements such as trees, vegetation, or water bodies.

6. The identified trail is separated from a motor vehicle right-of-way and is uninterrupted by vehicular traffic, street crossings, or driveways.

   Sidewalks do not qualify as multi-use paths for this strategy.

7. Confirm that the outdoor multi-use path is free of charge to all occupants.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the multi-use path.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it can accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the multi-use path.
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it will be separated from traffic.     
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the natural elements.    
• Requirement 6:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is uninterrupted.     
• Requirement 7:
  • Checkbox to certify that the multi-use path will be free of charge to all occupants.

Option 2: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the walking path.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the walking trail.     
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the natural elements.     
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the walking trail showing how it is uninterrupted.     
• Requirement 5:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor walking trail will be free of charge to all occupants.        

Option 3: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the bicycle lane or pathway.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the bicycle lane or pathway.     
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the bicycle lane or pathway showing how it will be separated from traffic.   

Option 4:

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the multi-use path.
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it can accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the multi-use path.
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it will be separated from traffic.
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the natural elements.
• Requirement 6:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is uninterrupted.
• Requirement 7:
  • Checkbox to certify that the multi-use path will be free of charge to all occupants.

Built Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the multi-use path.
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists     
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the multi-use path.     
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is separated from traffic.     
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the natural elements.     
• Requirement 6:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is uninterrupted.     
• Requirement 7:
  • Checkbox to certify that the multi-use path is free of charge to all occupants.        

Option 2: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the walking path.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the walking trail.     
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the natural elements.     
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the walking trail showing how it is uninterrupted.     
• Requirement 5:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor walking trail is free of charge to all occupants.        

Option 3: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the bicycle lane or pathway.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the bicycle lane or pathway.     
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the bicycle lane or pathway showing how it is separated from traffic.        

Option 4:

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the distance from a main building entrance of the furthest building to the multi-use path.
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map identifying the length of the multi-use path.
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is separated from traffic.
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the natural elements.
• Requirement 6:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the multi-use path showing how it is uninterrupted.
• Requirement 7:
  • Checkbox to certify that the multi-use path is free of charge to all occupants.