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. 2015 Apr 1;11(2):130–138. doi: 10.1089/chi.2014.0094

Table 1.

Subscales in the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale–Youth Version (NEWS-Y)

Subscale No. of items Example items, response options, and subscale creation
A. Land-use mix-diversity 20 How long it would take to walk to shops, services, and other destination (e.g., supermarket, post office, library)? 1=1–5 minutes; 5=31+ minutes. Sum of destinations within a 10-minute walk.
B. Recreational facilities 14 How long would it take to walk to types of recreation destinations (e.g., swimming pool, basketball court, parks)? 1=1–5 minutes, 5=31+ minutes. Sum of facilities within a 10-minute walk.
C. Residential density 4 How common are different types of homes in the neighborhood? 1=there are none, 5=all residences are (e.g., stand-alone one family homes, apartments). Weights applied to each type of housing to estimate the density and responses were averaged (higher scores indicate higher density).
D. Land-use mix-access 6 Stores are within easy walking distance of my home, it is easy to walk to a transit stop, streets are hilly: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses averaged (higher scores indicate better access).
E. Street connectivity 3 Streets in my neighborhood do not have many cul-de-sacs, there are many different routes for getting from place to place: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses averaged (higher scores indicate better street connectivity).
F. Walking/cycling facilities 3 In my neighborhood there are sidewalks, sidewalks are separated from traffic, there is grass/dirt between the streets and sidewalks: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses averaged (higher scores indicate better pedestrian infrastructure).
G. Neighborhood aesthetics 3 In my neighborhood there are trees, there are interesting things to look at: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses averaged (higher numbers indicate better aesthetics).
H. Pedestrian/automobile traffic safety 7 There is so much traffic on nearby streets that it is unpleasant to walk, the speed of traffic is usually slow, streets have good lighting: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses were reverse scored and averaged (higher scores indicate better perceived safety).
I. Crime safety 6 High neighborhood crime rate, worried about being outside alone because of being taken or hurt by a stranger, worried about being in a park because of being taken or hurt by a stranger: 1=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree. Responses were reverse scored and averaged (higher scores indicate lower perceptions of crime/more safety).

Source: Rosenberg and colleagues.19