How many reports does it take to convince us?

Mean Streets Pedestrians & Cyclists are at risk in America: 4,955 pedestrians killed in ,955 pedestrians killed in ,000+ cyclist go to emergency room 560,000+ cyclist go to emergency room 12% of all traffic fatalities are peds or cyclists even though only about 5% of all trips are made on foot 12% of all traffic fatalities are peds or cyclists even though only about 5% of all trips are made on foot

The Danger of Sprawl The most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians are the sprawling metro areas of the south and west The most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians are the sprawling metro areas of the south and west These areas include many wide, high-speed arterials that are hazardous for walking These areas include many wide, high-speed arterials that are hazardous for walking * A measure of average yearly pedestrian fatalities per capita adjusted for the number of walkers. Source: NHTSA Fatality Accident Reporting System (FARS) and Census 2000 Journey-to- Work

Minorities and Children Are Disproportionately at Risk African Americans comprise only 12% of the population but account for 20% of pedestrian fatalities African Americans comprise only 12% of the population but account for 20% of pedestrian fatalities Latinos make up 12.5% of the population but account for 13.5% of pedestrian fatalities Latinos make up 12.5% of the population but account for 13.5% of pedestrian fatalities Children account for 11% of pedestrian fatalities Children account for 11% of pedestrian fatalities

Transportation as a Public Health Issue Transportation crashes are a major cause of death and disabling injuries. Transportation crashes are a major cause of death and disabling injuries. Transport activities can contaminate soil, water and air reducing quality of life. Transport activities can contaminate soil, water and air reducing quality of life. High levels of traffic noise cause communication and sleep problems High levels of traffic noise cause communication and sleep problems

Transportation as a Public Health Issue (continued) 4. Planning for bicycling/walking as modes of transportation are often overlooked. 4. Planning for bicycling/walking as modes of transportation are often overlooked. 5. Heavy traffic and transportation facilities divide communities and reduce interaction 5. Heavy traffic and transportation facilities divide communities and reduce interaction 6. Adverse health effects disproportionately on the most vulnerable 6. Adverse health effects disproportionately on the most vulnerable National Center for Bicycling and Walking-August 2002

Impacts Overlooked

The Hidden Risks of Unsafe Roads Source: Census 2000 Journey to Work and the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, Center For Disease Control and Prevention Obesity is epidemic as fewer adults walk to get around Physical inactivity threatens the health of the majority of Americans

Bike/Ped Safety a Low Priority Only 0.7% of federal transportation funds spent from 1998 to 2001 went to pedestrian/ bicycle facilities States spent an average of 87 cents of federal funds per person on pedestrian and bicycle facilities, compared to $50 on roads and bridges

Two national reports/surveys National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclists Attitudes and Behaviors Conducted 2002, results released May 2003 from U.S. DOT (BTS and NHSTA). National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclists Attitudes and Behaviors Conducted 2002, results released May 2003 from U.S. DOT (BTS and NHSTA). Americans’ Attitudes Toward Walking and Creating Better Walking Communities- Conducted 2002, results released April 2003 from Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the Surface Transportation Policy Project. Americans’ Attitudes Toward Walking and Creating Better Walking Communities- Conducted 2002, results released April 2003 from Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the Surface Transportation Policy Project.

Why Americans Don’t Walk Disability or other health reasons 25% Disability or other health reasons 25% Unfavorable weather 22% Unfavorable weather 22% Too busy or no opportunity 19% Too busy or no opportunity 19% Other transportation is faster 4% Other transportation is faster 4% “Lazy” or “don’t want to” 7% “Lazy” or “don’t want to” 7% No safe place to walk 3% No safe place to walk 3% Prefer to drive vehicle 3% Prefer to drive vehicle 3% Other 17% Other 17% U.S. DOT May 2003, National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclists Attitudes and Behaviors

Why Americans Don’t Bicycle Lack of access to a bicycle 26% Lack of access to a bicycle 26% Too busy or no opportunity 17% Too busy or no opportunity 17% Disability or other health problems 10% Disability or other health problems 10% Bad weather or wrong season 8% Bad weather or wrong season 8% Don’t want to/don’t enjoy it 7% Don’t want to/don’t enjoy it 7% Age 5% Age 5% No safe place to ride 3% No safe place to ride 3% Don’t know how to ride 3% Don’t know how to ride 3% Other 21% Other 21% U.S. DOT, May 2003, National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclists Attitudes and Behaviors

Decline in Walking/Bicycling as Americans age Nearly 40% of those bicycle during the summer, while 26% of those bike. Nearly 40% of those bicycle during the summer, while 26% of those bike. Only 9% of those age 65 and older report they bicycle. Only 9% of those age 65 and older report they bicycle. Nearly 82% year olds take walks, while 8% of year olds walk. Nearly 82% year olds take walks, while 8% of year olds walk. Sixty-six (66%) of those 65 and older report taking walks. Sixty-six (66%) of those 65 and older report taking walks. U.S. DOT, May 2003, National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors

Americans’ Attitudes Toward Walking and Creating Better Walking Communities Poll conducted by Belden, Rusonello and Stewart for the Surface Transportation Policy Project. 800 adults 18 and over were contacted by telephone in October 2002; the sampling error is ±3.5 percentage points.

Americans Want to Walk More Q38. Please tell me which of the following statements describe you more: A) If it were possible, I would like to walk more throughout the day either to get to specific places or for exercise, or B) I prefer to drive my car wherever I go?

Americans Want Federal Funds to Support Walking Should federal funds be used to make walking safer? Q30. (Please tell me if you strongly favor, somewhat favor, or strongly oppose…) Increase federal spending on making sure people can safely walk and cross the street, even if this means less tax dollars go to building roads.

Americans Support Traffic Calming Should transportation funds go to design that slows traffic? Q27. (Please tell me if you strongly favor, somewhat favor, or strongly oppose…) Use part of the transportation budget to design streets with sidewalks, safe crossing and other devices to reduce speeding in residential areas and make it safer to walk, even if this means driving more slowly.

Americans Support Safe Routes to School Funding Q25. (Please tell me if you strongly favor, somewhat favor, or strongly oppose…) Use part of the state transportation budget to create more sidewalks and stop signs in communities, to make it safer and easier for children to walk to school, even if this means less money to build new highways.

Americans Say Transit, Walkable Communities Long-Term Solution What is the best long-term solution to traffic? Q31. Which one of the following proposals is the best long term solution to reducing traffic in your state: build new roads, improve public transportation, such as trains, buses and light rail, or develop communities where people do not have to drive long distances to work or shop?

Solutions Increase federal, state and local funding Increase federal, state and local funding Planners and engineers must ensure transportation projects incorporate or augment non-motorized users. Planners and engineers must ensure transportation projects incorporate or augment non-motorized users. Develop plans that identify priority facilities and safety programs. Include costs. Develop plans that identify priority facilities and safety programs. Include costs. Form an advocacy group to champion pedestrian and bicycle needs. Form an advocacy group to champion pedestrian and bicycle needs. Incentives for Smart Growth – Neo Traditional Design Incentives for Smart Growth – Neo Traditional Design

Seek Alternative Funding

Provide Mobility Options

Before

After

Safety Education

Encourage Innovation

Form Advocacy Group

Support from Public Officials

Gena Torres Hillsborough County Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator (813) x357 THANK YOU!

Physically Active Community Environments in Kentucky Cheryl D. Wyatt, M.A. Extension Associate for Bicycle/Pedestrian Education University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service BikeWalkKY Program ext. 108 Get Moving KY with PACE