FABB Blog

 

Active Transportation for America

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy recently published Active Transportation for America: The Case for Increased Federal Investment in Bicycling and Walking (pdf). The report describes the quantifiable benefits of transforming our auto-dependent transportation network to one that supports walking and biking.

"This report quantifies, for the first time, the benefits that America can expect from elevating the priority of bicycling and walking in our nation's transportation system. This case statement for increased investment in bicycling and walking infrastructure evaluates benefits in the areas of transportation, oil dependence, climate change, and public health, and puts dollar estimates to the economic value of these benefits."

"According to the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, 48 percent of all trips were three miles or less and 24 percent were one mile or less."

The report is filled with valuable statistics that can be used to make the argument for investing in bicycle infrastructure. On page 17 there's a chart that shows the direct relationship between investing in bike facilities and how many people ride.

On page 18 are the results of a survey of Americans on how they would allocate transportation funding (22% for biking and walking) vs. how much is actually allocated (1% to biking and walking). The results are very similar to a survey conducted by the Tysons Land Use Task force (pdf).

It's worth spending a few minutes to scan the report (44 pages with lots of graphics). posted by Bruce Wright at 9:10 AM permalink