Abstract

Safety and the feeling of security are essential but underexplored variables that may condition the decision to walk and the experience of walking. This influence may be especially true for population groups who, because of their age, may have a greater need to walk to remain autonomous and, at the same time, perceive greater insecurity. This paper proposes analyzing how perceptions of (in)security influence walking decisions and experiences among older people, comparing aging neighborhoods in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Santiago de Chile. A survey of 44 participants shows that perceptions of insecurity influence decisions to walk and mobility experiences among older people, leading to adaptive practices that restrict mobility without preventing them from continuing to walk. © 2025, Universidad del Bio Bio. All rights reserved.