The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center of the Federal Highway Administration?just released its National Bicycling and Walking Study 15-Year Status Report.
The good news is that people are biking and walking more–we’re making more than twice as many trips by foot or bike than we did in 1990. We’re not quite where we’d hoped yet–11.9% of all trips are by bike or foot, though transportation planners had hoped for 15.8%. And too many cyclists and pedestrians are still injured or killed on roadways. (No numbers on walking and biking trips in West Windsor, but it feels like there are more people out on their bikes.)
We are slowly making progress toward a healthier and safer environment.?The Obama administration has doubled the funding for walking and bicycling programs,?from less than $600 million in 2008 to $1.2 billion in 2009 (Joan Lowy, Associated Press, June 16, 2010).
“Americans want and need safe alternatives to driving,” LaHood?said in a statement. “By making biking and walking safer and more?accessible, we’ll be able to provide Americans with more choices?and help foster more active, livable communities.”
For the complete report:?National Bicycling and Walking Study 15-Year Status Report