Who we are

The Footways story

  • We were united by our shared passion for walking, and our belief that it could transform lives and cities. But we were also motivated by our shared frustration with digital journey planning apps, which mostly ignored pedestrian experience to prioritise directness, sending walkers down polluted, noisy streets instead of enjoyable backstreet alternatives.

  • In Central London it prioritises the most beautiful and historic low-traffic streets, leaving the more recent Victorian and Edwardian streets to the through-traffic they were designed for. Further out, the routes seek out green spaces, waterways and low traffic neighbourhoods. The aim was to make walking the natural and intuitive choice for everyday journeys. But it was also intended as a tool to highlight gaps in the walking network due to missing crossings, cluttered pavements and excessive traffic.

  • We worked with Charlie Peel of Urban Good CIC to turn the network into an eye-catching printed map and develop the Footways brand, distributing 10,000 free copies via visitor centres and independent bookshops. The second edition, developed in collaboration with Network Rail, was designed by Applied Information Group, establishing a recognisable and versatile template for all our subsequent mapping. In total more than 50k copies of our Central London map have been distributed.

  • Together we have created a growing number of other print and digital maps, including Hackney Central (2023), Camden Town (2023), Clerkenwell (2024), London Heritage Quarter, and Westminster (2025). From our early beginnings as a grassroots collaboration, Footways has grown into an influential force in pedestrian advocacy whose beautiful maps are reshaping the way we approach urban walking.

Our mission

  • Walking is the most accessible, affordable, sustainable and healthy form of transport, but it often lacks infrastructure and visibility in urban planning. We aim to address this imbalance through advocacy, practical tools and partnerships that place walking at the heart of city life.

  • Our networks are created using on-the-ground research to identify and test out the most attractive routes. We then turn these networks into beautifully designed printed and digital maps. Central London Footways was arguably the first printed map to show London from the pedestrian’s perspective, and definitely the first to reveal a coherent, city-wide network specifically for walking. In doing so, Footways shrinks the city for people on foot, showing walking as a realistic form of transport.

  • By highlighting overlooked streets, layers of local history, and features (often hidden in plain sight), Footways maps help people see familiar places in new ways. Developed with input from local stakeholders and tailored to the context of each area, our maps elevate walking from a basic necessity to an enjoyable, meaningful experience.

  • This includes identifying key areas for improvement, proposing new routes, and advising on urban design. We use our relationships with councils and BIDs to push for walking to be embedded in policy and design.

  • The organisation sits on advisory panels, shares best practice and champions pedestrian-centred design. Ultimately, Footways exists to inspire a shift towards walkable cities – healthier, greener, more connected places where people thrive.

Meet the team

David Harrison, co-founder

David has had a long interest in travel and transport. His PhD and then book was on roads and bridges The Bridges of Medieval England - Hardback - David Harrison - Oxford University Press (oup.com). For many years he worked as a House of Commons Clerk, including on the Health and on the Environment and Transport Committee. He managed an inquiry into 'Walking in Towns and Cities', the first ever select committee report on everyday walking: House of Commons - Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs - Eleventh Report (parliament.uk).

In retirement, he became Chair of Islington Living streets, and part of the newly formed London Living Streets. He continues to give talks and write about walking, the public realm, and roads and bridges. 

Emma Griffin, co-founder

Emma has been writing about and campaigning for better streets since the early 2000s. Back then she was a journalist, specialising in sustainable transport and business for a range of trade titles and CNN.

She turned her attention to campaigning following an Urban Studies MSc at UCL in 2015. Emma is also vice-chair of London Living Streets and trustee of Foundation for Integrated Transport.

Michael Shilling

Michael has worked as a professional photographer for the past twenty years. Alongside his work with Footways and freelance filmmaking in the environmental sector, he is a London National Park City Ranger, a volunteer with CPRE London, the Marketing and Communications Officer at ecoACTIVE, and Director of Memory Gate Photography and The Photo Cafe London.

In his spare time Michael explores London on foot as London In 360 : Creator of 360 Street Photography.

William Petty

William Petty is a non-fiction author, transport campaigner and map wrangler from North London. In addition to his work with Footways, he has worked with CPRE London and Healthy Streets Scorecard on improving parking policy in the capital, rides for a cargo trike delivery service, and volunteers with Hackney Cycling Campaign to promote active travel and reduce car dependency. In his spare time he sings, makes maps, walks up mountains, and travels round Europe on public transport.

Join the team

Footways are often looking for people who are passionate about the important role of walking in cities to contribute to our mission; so if you are interested in contributing to our work please contact us on either the email below or using the form below.

When we have dedicated positions available to apply for we will post them here and through our networks, so watch this space.

If you would like to reach us please say hello@footways.london or use the form below with feedback or questions.

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