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Benefits of Walking : Transportation Benefits
Many of the trips that Americans make every day are short enough to be accomplished on a bicycle, on foot or via wheelchair. The 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS) found that approximately 40% of all trips are less than 2 miles in length – which represents a 10-minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk. In fact, a 1995 Rodale Press survey found that Americans want the opportunity to walk or bike instead of drive: 40% of U.S. adults say they would commute by bike if safe facilities were available. Bicycling and walking can help to reduce roadway congestion. Many streets and highways carry more traffic than they were designed to handle, resulting in gridlock, wasted time and energy, pollution, and driver frustration. Bicycling and walking require less space per traveler than automobiles. Roadway improvements to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles can also enhance safety for motorists. For example, adding paved shoulders on two-lane roads has been shown to reduce the frequency of run-off-road, head-on, and sideswipe motor vehicle crashes.
• About one-third of all Americans cannot or do not drive -- they may be too young, too old, or unable to afford a car. (1990 U.S. Census) • There are 9 million bike trips and 56 million walking trips in the U.S. everyday – an amount that exceeds daily transit trips (1995 NPTS) • About 40% of all trips are shorter than 2 miles - a 10-minute bike ride or a 30-minute walk (1995 NPTS) • 40% of U.S. adults say they would commute by bike if safe facilities were available (1995 Rodale Press Poll) |
