Healthy Local Transportation Policy Presentation to Obesity Prevention Summit December 6, 2012 Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Cascade Bicycle Club Non-profit organization serving 14,000 members & the Puget Sound bicycling community Mission: to Create a Better Community Through Bicycling Advocacy, Policy & Planning, Education, Events & Rides

Factors that Affect Health Examples Eat healthy, be physically active Rx for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes Poverty, education, housing, inequality Immunizations, brief intervention, cessation treatment, colonoscopy Fluoridation, 0g trans fat, iodization, smoke- free laws, tobacco tax Socioeconomic Factors *And Racism Changing the Context to make individuals’ default decisions healthy Long-lasting Protective Interventions Clinical Interventions Counseling & Education Smallest Impact Largest Impact

The problem A sedentary lifestyle leads to health problems ranging from obesity to cancer.

The problem We’ve engineered daily physical activity out of our people’s lives by not providing safe places for people to walk and bike.

Snohomish County: The problem <1% of Snohomish County residents ride bikes to work. More than 27% of Snohomish County residents are obese.

Existing Complete Streets Policies Snohomish County The problem Lack of advocacy for bicycling has meant a lack of safe, connected routes. Kids who come through Basics of Bicycling can’t ride to school or in their neighborhoods.

The case for bicycling A connected network of bicycling routes leads to: Healthier people Stronger communities Safer streets Better air and water quality Reduced congestion

The case for bicycling 2012 study from Portland, Ore:

Portland, Oregon 1990 Bike lanes encourage bike commuting 0 - 2% 2 - 3% 3 - 5% 5 - 8% % 10+% Bike Commute Mode Split City of Portland Dept. of Transportation Black lines show 1990 bikeway network... …colors show 1990 mode splits (by census tract)

Portland, Oregon 2000 Bike lanes encourage bike commuting 0 - 2% 2 - 3% 3 - 5% 5 - 8% % 10+% Bike Commute Mode Split City of Portland Dept. of Transportation Black lines show 2000 bikeway network... …colors show 2000 mode splits (by census tract)

Healthier people, healthier communities More people bicycling People feeling confident and encouraged to bicycle Safe routes for bicycling Supportive funding, policies, plans and bicycle infrastructure Effective community advocates Supportive local governments + businesses Supportive elected officials Education and encouragement programs

Changing the Context Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… –Transportation planners and policy makers –Businesses –Grassroots advocates –3,000 middle school students

Plans and Policies bikeability assessments

Plans and Policies bicycle policy and planning workshops

Plans and Policies technical guides

Changing the Context Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… –Transportation planners and policy makers –Businesses –Grassroots advocates –3,000 middle school students

Changing the Context Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… –Transportation planners and policy makers –Businesses –Grassroots advocates –3,000 middle school students

Advocates Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute Advocates Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute

Changing the Context Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… –Transportation planners and policy makers –Businesses –Grassroots advocates –3,000 middle school students

The Next Generation Advanced Basics of Bicycling

Precedent

The Outcomes People in south Snohomish County will ride bikes more often as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Questions? Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager