We’ve uncovered a fascinating fact, according to a study, conducted more than a decade ago. Interestingly, it is believed that people in Singapore are the fastest walkers worldwide. HUH? we’re confused because it’s not the Singapore we know.
Singapore has the world’s fastest walkers
The Pace of Life Project conducted by Prof Richard Wiseman in 2007, in collaboration with the British Council, concluded that people in Singapore are the fastest walkers in the world. Allegedly, Singaporeans can cover 19 metres in 10.55 seconds – which was later suggested as a benefit to aging and boosting mental health.
Researchers used a busy street with a wide, flat pavement, free from obstacles and crowds in 32 cities globally. This was to time 35 people’s walking speed across 18 metres. Only adults, who were free from distractions like mobile phones, were timed.
In fact, the study revealed that the pace of life in Singapore grew by 30% compared to studies on pedestrians from the 1990s.
Additionally, Copenhagen in Denmark took second place. While Madrid in Spain was awarded third place which contradicts the popular belief that Spanish people walk slow. Plus, Guangzhou in China came fourth and Ireland’s Dublin at fifth.
Here are the cities with the Top 10 world’s fastest walkers:
1. Singapore, Singapore (10.55 seconds)
2. Copenhagen, Denmark (10.82)
3. Madrid, Spain (10.89)
4. Guangzhou, China (10.94)
5. Dublin, Ireland (11.03)
6. Curitiba, Brazil (11.13)
7. Berlin, Germany (11.16)
8. New York, United States (12.00)
9. Utrecht, Netherlands (12.04)
10. Vienna, Austria (12.06)
Meanwhile, the study indicated that world’s slowest movers are in Blantyre – which is the oldest urban city in Malawi.
However, there has been no other study since 2007 on the fastest walkers in the world, so we can only assume that Singapore still holds the top spot even know people here walk at a snails pace in our eyes. The author of the study believed the pace of life in major cities had grown – so it’s possible the pedestrian speed has increased further by 2024. What do you think of this study?
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