New Report Links Decline in Bicycling and Walking to Nation’s Obesity Epidemic
Washington, D.C. – August 29, 2007 – According to a report released today by the Thunderhead Alliance, the dust settling on Americans’ parked bikes is likely linked to our expanding waist lines. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S., Thunderhead’s first biennial Benchmarking Report, shows that bicycling and walking have been in decline in the U.S. since the 1960s. At the same time there has been a surge in adults and children who are obese. The report compares, for the first time ever, bicycling and walking levels, investment in bicycling and walking, and public health. The most striking findings reveal major disparities between cycling and walking levels, traffic fatalities, and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
According to Thunderhead’s Executive Director, Sue Knaup, “Most public health advocates already preach the benefits of biking and walking. This report clearly demonstrates that cities and states with the highest rates of cycling and walking almost always have the lowest levels of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.”
Besides linking cycling, walking, and public health, the report highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in regards to increasing bicycling and walking. Bicycling and walking make up 9.6 percent of all trips. Yet bicyclists and pedestrians represent 12.9 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, and only 1.5 percent of federal transportation dollars are spent on bicycling and walking projects.
“State and local governments can choose whether their money goes towards expanding highways or improving their communities for bicycling and walking,” Knaup said. “In order to make streets safe and inviting for all citizens and reverse our nation’s obesity epidemic, state and local officials must get serious about investing in bicycling and walking.”
The report was released to Thunderhead Alliance’s network of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations and government officials throughout the country. Thunderhead anticipates that advocates, officials, and citizens will use this cutting-edge report to promote a greater investment in bicycling and walking in their communities.
Thunderhead Alliance is the national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S. was made possible by support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bikes Belong Coalition. On-going support from Planet Bike and the National Bicycle Dealers Association also ensured the report’s success. To view Bicycling and Walking in the U.S. visit http://www.thunderheadalliance .org/benchmarking.htm
For more information, please contact Kristen Steele, Outreach and Development Manager: 415-513-5281, Kristen@thunderheadalliance.or g
Wow! I am not sure about the walking part, but I had assumed that this was the effect of Lance Armstrong retiring and the American public coming to the reality that you have to use performance enhancing drugs to ride a bike with any proficiency!
Wow they are a bit slow off the mark! The very basis of my job is to encourage people to walk, cycle and travel sustainably. Thankfully the days of decline here are ending in London alone we have seen an increase of up to 80% in cycling, but it took a bomb on a tube to do alot of that!
The thing I note about my limited trips to America is everything is designed around cars. Walkers and cyclists are not catered for very well in your cities. People looked at me like I was mad crazy when I walked to the local shops. Even in Seattle, it was a case of "You walked down that street!". As we get older we add our own mental fears based on media reporting and highlighting of the darker side of life. This detracts people from using the streets, what has been shown over and over again tho by numerous studies is that numbers bread safety and contment so encouraging more to cycle and walk breaks down the fear factors.
Anyhow back to the study, and questions raised, we are at the stage now where the impact data has been analysed and we are gaining peer review to back up our findings to show the health impact of what we have achieved ie via the increase in walking and cycling. Its gonna be about 6 months now before we can publish the results but I will drop it in as soon as available
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BFG
"The time for talking has passed, actions are speaking louder than words."
Even in Seattle, it was a case of "You walked down that street!". As we get older we add our own mental fears based on media reporting and highlighting of the darker side of life. This detracts people from using the streets, what has been shown over and over again tho by numerous studies is that numbers bread safety and contment so encouraging more to cycle and walk breaks down the fear factors.
When I lived in VA I used to ride a lot - to work, to school, to go shopping. When I moved to NC I rode for a few weeks and was run off the road twice, had people throw stuff at me or yell things. Damned rednecks (chavs/yobs to you Brits). It didn't matter how far off the road I was, some assbag interbred would take offense to the fact that I was pedaling my mtn bike in the bike like. My favorite rant was "you're not paying taxes".
Walking or buses aren't always an option here due to the lack of infrastructure. For me to take a bus anywhere it's a commitment. Walking is ok but to get to the grocery store I have to either hoof it way out of my way or walk across the highway. There was a passenger bridge but the drug dealers were using it as an escape route so they sealed it off. I could walk to work but the passenger bridge over the river drops you in the middle of a gun zone.
When I was in Jamaica I walked everywhere. Was on my way to the store one day and passed a dozen or so guys sitting under a tree. They asked me why I didn't take a cab or bus. "I want to walk". "You're not scared?" "Of what? This way I get to meet people".
When my base office moves in the end of September it's going to be a bus ride in. 1/4 mile walk to the bus stop, an 8 minute ride downtown, then a 10 minute downhill walk. I'll probably skateboard/bike to/from the stop.
Drop in biking linked to obesity
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