Suburbanites like to walk

Generally, suburbia has a reputation for cookie-cutter houses, curved streets and a total lack of neighbourhood shopping. Suburbia is car country; folks don't walk in suburbia or so goes the oft repeated cliché. But it is not true, at least not the part about no one walking.

People walk in my suburban neighbourhood and they walk a lot. It's not the pull of shopping, like downtown, that gets my neighbours out pounding the pavement. Nope. More often than not, it's their dogs. Rain or shine, dogs need to be walked. Although, I must admit, jogging or just walking to get some exercise does come in a close second. And simply going out for a pleasurable stroll is also worth a mention.

So, the next time you hear someone saying that suburbanites never walk anywhere, smile. They walk a lot, at least they do in the Byron neighbourhood in London, Ontario.