Objective: to find out the causes of disuse of pedestrian bridges in Arequipa city. Methods: descriptive study based on a survey gathering data on age, gender level of education, origin and experience of previous accidents. A non-probabilistic sampling was performed through quota sampling technique. Three hundred and sixty pedestrians (270 males and 90 females), who moved along pathways next to three city bridges such as Avenida Venezuela bridge, Avenida Alcides Carriion bridge and Avenida Ejercito bridge, were studied. Results: average age of the sample was 31.97 years, the level of education did not influence the use of bridges. Lack of time, sloth and the fear for attacks and robbery were the most frequent motives marked by pedestrians as causes for ignoring the pedestrian bridges. Conclusions: it is necessary to take measures in terms of security and surveillance at bridges, as well as launching awareness-raising campaigns that provide information to pedestrians on the possible risks of wrongly crossing the streets and of breaking the law.