[In defense of walking and cycling as a means of transportation in Brazil].

This essay aims to discuss walking and cycling as a means of transportation for the Brazilian population. Scientific evidence (mainly from high-income countries) shows their contributions to people's health, pointing out that these physical activities can constitute an important part of daily life and contribute to preventing diseases and to the health of municipalities by reducing air and noise pollution and the problems due to the excess of motor vehicles. We discuss the forms of measurement in national surveys and the new technologies that have been used.