Walking & Cycling Radius Map
See how far you can actually walk or cycle in a given time — based on real roads and paths.
How to Use the Walking Radius Map
Enter Location
Search for any address or click on the map
Choose Mode
Select walking or cycling travel
Set Time
Pick 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes
View Area
See the reachable zone polygon
Explore
Check what's within your range
Walking Radius vs. Straight-Line Radius
A walking radius map shows the area you can actually reach on foot within a time limit — it follows sidewalks, paths, crosswalks, and walkable streets. A straight-line radius shows a perfect circle based on distance “as the crow flies.”
The difference can be dramatic: a 15-minute walk might cover only 0.7 miles in a grid-pattern city, but the straight-line distance is roughly 1.2 km in every direction.
Walking Isochrone
- Follows actual sidewalks and paths
- Accounts for road network
- Realistic reachable area
- Irregular polygon shape
Straight-Line Radius
- Perfect circle shape
- “As the crow flies” distance
- Ignores obstacles & roads
- Good for coverage analysis
How Walking Distance Is Calculated
The tool uses a default walking speed of 5 km/h (3.1 mph), which is a moderate pace for an average adult. It routes along pedestrian-accessible paths from OpenStreetMap data, excluding highways, motorways, and roads without sidewalks where applicable.
- Terrain and elevation changes
- Traffic signals and crosswalks (tool does not account for wait times)
- Weather conditions
- Personal walking speed and fitness level
- Carrying loads (groceries, backpack, etc.)
How Cycling Distance Is Calculated
The cycling mode uses a default speed of 15 km/h (9.3 mph) and prioritizes bike lanes, cycling paths, and bike-friendly roads. It avoids highways and roads typically closed to cyclists.
This speed represents a comfortable cruising pace for most recreational cyclists. Commuters on road bikes may travel faster (20-25 km/h), while those on heavy city bikes with cargo may be slower (10-12 km/h).
Walking & Cycling Speed Reference
Walking Speeds by Type
Cycling Speeds by Type
Distance Covered by Time
| Time | Walking (5 km/h) | Brisk Walk (6.4 km/h) | Cycling (15 km/h) | Fast Cycling (25 km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 420 m (0.26 mi) | 530 m (0.33 mi) | 1.25 km (0.78 mi) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) |
| 10 min | 830 m (0.52 mi) | 1.1 km (0.67 mi) | 2.5 km (1.55 mi) | 4.2 km (2.6 mi) |
| 15 min | 1.25 km (0.78 mi) | 1.6 km (1.0 mi) | 3.75 km (2.3 mi) | 6.25 km (3.9 mi) |
| 20 min | 1.67 km (1.04 mi) | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) | 5.0 km (3.1 mi) | 8.3 km (5.2 mi) |
| 30 min | 2.5 km (1.55 mi) | 3.2 km (2.0 mi) | 7.5 km (4.7 mi) | 12.5 km (7.8 mi) |
| 45 min | 3.75 km (2.3 mi) | 4.8 km (3.0 mi) | 11.25 km (7.0 mi) | 18.75 km (11.6 mi) |
| 60 min | 5.0 km (3.1 mi) | 6.4 km (4.0 mi) | 15 km (9.3 mi) | 25 km (15.5 mi) |
The 15-Minute City Concept
Urban planners frequently use the “15-minute city” concept — the idea that essential services (grocery, school, healthcare, transit) should be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This planning philosophy promotes walkable, sustainable neighborhoods.
A 15-minute walking isochrone from your home shows what you can access on foot and is a useful way to evaluate neighborhood walkability before moving or investing.
What Should Be Within 15 Minutes?
Real-World Examples
See how people use walking and cycling radius maps in practice
Apartment Hunting Walkability Check
Scenario: Sarah is moving to Chicago and doesn't own a car. She needs to find an apartment where she can walk to work, grocery stores, and the L train.
How she uses the tool:
- Enters potential apartment addresses one by one
- Sets 15-minute walking radius for each
- Checks if her office, Trader Joe's, and Clark/Lake station fall within range
- Compares multiple apartments to find the most walkable option
Result: Found a studio in Lincoln Park with all essentials within 12-minute walk
Urban Planning: 15-Minute City Analysis
Scenario: The Portland city planning department is evaluating which neighborhoods meet 15-minute city criteria and which need more pedestrian-accessible amenities.
How they use the tool:
- Generate 15-minute walking isochrones from residential block centers
- Overlay with grocery stores, schools, parks, and transit stops
- Identify “service deserts” where residents lack walkable access
- Prioritize infrastructure investment in underserved areas
Result: Identified 12 census tracts needing walkable grocery access
School Commute Safety Planning
Scenario: Parents in a Denver suburb want to determine if their elementary school is within safe walking distance for their 8-year-old.
How they use the tool:
- Enter their home address as the starting point
- Set a 20-minute walking radius (conservative for a child)
- Check if school is within the isochrone boundary
- Trace the actual walking route along sidewalks and crosswalks
Result: School is 0.6 miles away, 14-minute walk with sidewalks the entire route
Transit Accessibility Study
Scenario: A transportation researcher in Boston is analyzing how many residents can reach subway stations on foot versus needing a bus connection.
How they use the tool:
- Generate 10-minute walking isochrones from each MBTA station
- Overlay with census population data
- Calculate percentage of population within walking distance
- Compare coverage across different neighborhoods
Result: 62% of residents in the study area can walk to a subway station in 10 minutes
Bike Commute Planning
Scenario: Marcus lives in San Francisco and wants to know what job opportunities are within a 20-minute bike commute from his apartment in the Mission District.
How he uses the tool:
- Enters his apartment address on Valencia Street
- Switches to cycling mode and sets 20-minute radius
- Notes that downtown, SOMA, and Potrero Hill are all within range
- Expands search to 30 minutes to include more tech campuses
Result: 20-minute bike commute covers Financial District, SOMA, and most of downtown SF
Walkability by City Type
How far a 15-minute walk gets you varies dramatically by urban layout
| City Type | Example Cities | 15-Min Walk Covers | Walk Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dense Grid | Manhattan, Chicago Loop, SF Downtown | ~1.0 km (12+ blocks) | 90-100 |
| Mixed Urban | Boston, Seattle, Portland | ~1.1 km | 70-90 |
| Traditional Suburbs | Older East Coast suburbs | ~1.0 km | 50-70 |
| Car-Oriented Suburbs | Most Sun Belt suburbs | ~0.8 km (limited paths) | 25-50 |
| Sprawl/Exurbs | Outer Phoenix, Houston sprawl | ~0.6 km (few sidewalks) | 0-25 |
Effective 15-Minute Walking Distance by Layout
* Based on 5 km/h walking speed. Actual coverage varies by specific location and pedestrian infrastructure.
Health Benefits of Walking & Cycling
Understanding your walkable and bikeable range isn't just about convenience — it's about building sustainable exercise into daily life. Research shows that people in walkable neighborhoods get significantly more physical activity.
Walking Benefits
- • Burns ~100 calories per mile
- • Reduces heart disease risk by 30%+
- • Improves mental health & mood
- • Zero equipment needed
Cycling Benefits
- • Burns ~50 calories per mile
- • Low-impact on joints
- • 3x faster than walking
- • Can replace short car trips