CDC-financed 2010 Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Report released

The Alliance for Biking and Walking has released its new 2010 Benchmarking Report, as noted below in their official press release.  This report was financed by the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and documents in great detail levels of walking, bicycling, and various health indicators for all 50 US states and the 50 largest US cities, including trends over time as well as relevant government policies and programs encouraging walking and bicycling.

The report is freely available to the public (at the URL link noted in the official press release below) for downloading as a PDF file.  But it is 14MB large, so it takes a while to download.  But the report is very up to date and filled with useful information.  See the press release below for all details, and especially for instructions on how to access the report for free as a PDF file. 

The Alliance for Biking and Walking has explicitly requested that we help distribute this press release and the information on how to access the report, so you can also free to forward this email and the press release to anyone else who might be interested.  This should give you some interesting reading this weekend! 

You can also feel free to distribute this information on listserves or post it on websites, as the Alliance for Biking and Walking would like to ensure maximum possible distribution of the report.  Thanks so much for helping the Alliance promote bicycling and walking.

PRESS RELEASE BELOW, WITH INFO ON HOW TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE REPORT: 

PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release
Contact:
Alliance for Biking & Walking

Kristen Steele 415.513.5281
kristen@PeoplePoweredMovement.org
January 28, 2010

 Investing in Biking and Walking Could
Save Lives Says Report
States with the lowest levels of biking and walking have higher
traffic fatalities and chronic disease 

Washington, DC - January 28, 2010 - A new report released today by the Alliance for Biking & Walking shows that lack of investment in biking and walking could be contributing to higher traffic fatalities and chronic disease rates in the U.S. 

Bicycling and Walking in the United States: The 2010 Benchmarking Report reveals that in almost every state and major U.S. city, bicyclists and pedestrians are at a disproportionate risk of being killed, and receive less than their fair share of transportation dollars. While 10% of trips in the U.S. are by bike or foot, 13% of traffic fatalities are bicyclists and pedestrians. Biking and walking receive less than 2% of federal transportation dollars. Seniors are at an even greater risk. While adults over 65 make up 9% of walking trips and 4% of biking trips, they account for 19% of pedestrian fatalities and 9% of bicyclist fatalities.

"State investment choices can be a life or death issue for people who walk and bike," says Jeff Miller, President of the Alliance. "Creating safe streets for everyone will save lives and improve health and quality of life in communities."

The report also highlights the fact that states with the lowest levels of biking and walking have, on average, the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In contrast states with the highest levels of biking and walking have, on average, the lowest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In addition, where rates of biking and walking are greater, more of the adult population is likely to achieve the 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity aerobic activity recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to CDC, physical activity can reduce your risk of dying early from the leading causes of death, like heart disease and some cancers.

The report also ranks states and the 51 largest U.S. cities in biking and walking levels, safety, funding, advocacy, and policies. It further compares U.S. cities to their international peers finding that overall, U.S. investment in biking and walking lags far behind that of other developed nations. This may explain why the U.S. has fewer people who bike and walk than its international peers.

Miller says, "our data show that increasing investment in biking and walking could lead to more people biking and walking. The more people bike and walk, the safer it is and the healthier the community. It's a virtuous cycle."

Bicycling and Walking in the United States was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through additional support from Bikes Belong Coalition and Planet Bike. For more information and to download the report visit http://www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/benchmarking. For a fact sheet highlighting report findings click here.

About the Alliance:
Alliance for Biking & Walking is the North American coalition of over 160 grassroots biking and walking advocacy organizations. The Alliance works to strengthen state and local organizations through research, sharing best practices, training, resources, and grants. For more information or to find a local organization visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org.