Metro Vancouver municipalities to vie for the Shoefy in 10th annual WALK30 challenge

Better Environmental Sound Transportation is going big for this year’s WALK30 challenge.

As part of this year’s 10th anniversary of the walking challenge, BEST has expanded the event to include all municipalities across Metro Vancouver. Instead of a few neighbouring cities, the City of New Westminster — a repeat winner of the WALK30 challenge — will now vie against teams from Vancouver Coastal Health, TransLink and municipalities from across the region.

Farinaz Rikhtehgaran, director of programs at Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, said WALK30 is a community initiative that encourages people in Metro Vancouver to walk for at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days in the month of April. She said this year is especially meaningful, as it’s the 10th anniversary of the walking challenge.

“WALK30 is built on the simple but powerful idea: Walking is a fundamental mode of transportation. It’s something we often take for granted,” she said. “But the truth is, almost every trip almost begins or ends with walking. And yet we don’t always design our communities with walking in mind.”

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Through the annual challenge, BEST invites residents to build a simple habit of walking 30 minutes a day. Its goal is to make walking, not just an activity, but a natural, safe and enjoyable part of everyday life.

“We consistently hear from participants that this small shift leads to real impact,” Rikhtehgaran said. “People report feeling healthier, more energized and in a better mood as a result of walking more.”

Beyond the health benefits that often come with increased walking, Rikhtehgaran said walking has important community benefits. She said that includes creating opportunities for social interaction, strengthened neighbourhood connections and more vibrant and inclusive public spaces.

“One of the most exciting parts of WALK30 has been the engagement of elementary schools,” she said. “We have seen incredible enthusiasm from students who not only participate but bring the energy home to their families and communities.”

BEST/CONTRIBUTED Residents in communities across Metro Vancouver are invited to take part in the WALK30 Challenge in April 2026.

Rikhtehgaran said WALK30 also highlights the importance of building safer, more walkable streets and neighbourhoods where people of all ages and abilities feel comfortable and protected. This includes things like wider and accessible sidewalks, safe crossings, and policies related to speed limits and turn movements.

“Ultimately, it comes down to how we design our streets and neighbourhoods and who we design them for,” Rikhtehgaran recently told New Westminster city council. “As a city that has already shown leadership in this space, New Westminster is well positioned to continue advancing this vision.”

Individuals are encouraged to sign up for the challenge, track their progress and compete with other municipalities, organizations, elementary schools, and individuals across Metro Vancouver for the highest total minutes of walking. The municipality with the Most Minutes Logged Per Capita will win the Golden Shoefy trophy.

“We’re seeing really exciting momentum this year, including more than double the number of schools signed up compared to last year, along with some great prizes to keep participants engaged throughout April,” Rikhtehgaran told Freshet News.

The City of New Westminster has participated in each WALK30 challenge since the event began and has won the Golden Shoefy numerous times. Vancouver Coastal Health won last year’s challenge.

The New Westminster Walkers Caucus launched the WALK30 Challenge in 2016 as a friendly walking competition between the cities of New Westminster and Burnaby. In recent years, BEST has overseen the competition and has worked to make it a regional initiative.

According to BEST, the 2025 edition involved more than 590 active participants from three municipalities, two organizations and one school district. Participants walked more than 550,000 minutes, covering a distance of over 30,000 kilometres.

New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone said his city’s team finished second last year but is committed to wining this year’s competition. He encourages community members to participate in the initiative.

“There will be a variety of walks run in the city hosted by different people,” he noted. “So, sign up. … Everyone, get out there and get walking.”

Johnstone is leading several walks in various New Westminster neighbourhoods. Other WALK30 walks are scheduled for Burnaby and Vancouver.

To register for the WALK30 challenge or get details about all of the walks, visit www.walk30.ca.

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