Bicycling and Walking in the United States Today

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Publication No. FHWA-HRT-05-088

Bicycling and Walkingin the United States Today

(This picture shows bicyclists not wearing helmets. FHWA strongly recommends that all bicyclists wear helmets.)

Lesson 2

Cambridge, MA

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Lesson Outline• How much biking and walking people

actually do.• Factors that influence walking or biking

decisions. • Strategies that can be used to

encourage bicycling and walking.

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

2001 National Household Transportation Survey Data

Personal vehicle, multiple occupant,

48.9%

Personal vehicle, single occupant,

37.6%

Walk, 8.6%

Other, 1.7%

School bus, 1.5%

Transit, 1.5%

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Regional Variations in Mode Choice

Source: Pucher, J., and J.L. Renne, “Socioeconomics of Urban Travel: Evidence from the 2001 NHTS,” Transportation Quarterly, vol. 57, no. 3, summer 2003.

Values in table are the % of trips by mode indicated.

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Factors Influencing Walking/Biking Decisions

• Distance/time.• Attitude.• Trip barriers.• Destination barriers.

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Distance/Time

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Trip Barriers

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Destination Barriers

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Safety Concerns

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Strategies to Increase Bicycling and Walking

• Build on existing support.• Press the transit connection.• Increase opportunities for recreational

walking and bicycling.• Other strategies?

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Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Lesson Summary

• People are already biking and walking.• There are a variety of reasons why

people choose whether or not to bike or walk.

• There are many ways to encourage bicycling and walking in the community.

• Bicycling and walking help to maintain independence and mobility for all people.