The Need for Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility

1
The Need forBicycle and Pedestrian Mobility

• Lesson 1

2
Lesson Outline

• Urban/suburban development and travel examples.
• The benefits of bicycling and walking
  transportation, environment, health.
• Community and government support.
• Planning trends.

3
Urban/Suburban Development and Travel

• Bicycling and walking have become novelty
  experiences.
• Development follows the lead of the predominant
  personal transportation mode.
• Planning and zoning regulations have favored
  low-density, automobile-oriented development.
• Many planners and designers still do not consider
  pedestrians and bicyclists.

4
Influence of Automobile on Design
5
Influence of Automobile on Design
6
Influence of Automobile on Design
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Benefits of Bicycling and Walking

• Transportation.
• Environment.
• Economy.
• Quality of life.
• Health.

8
Transportation Opportunities

• Half of all trips are shorter than 3 miles a
  15-minute bike ride.
• Forty percent of U.S. adults say they would
  commute by bike if safe facilities were
  available.
• Gallup poll2002 Half of U.S. adults favor
  providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities, even
  if it means less space for automobiles.

References 2001 National Household
Transportation Survey, League of American
Bicyclists Press Release
9
Environment

• Air pollution contributes to 70,000 deaths
  nationwide each year.
• Short auto trips produce far more pollution per
  mile than longer trips.

References Harvard School of Public Health,
Federal Highway Administration
10
Health Benefits

• There are nearly twice as many overweight
  children as in 1980.
• Obesity and overweight are linked to the Nations
  number one killerheart diseaseas well as
  diabetes.
• Thirty minutes of routine exercise (such as
  walking) per day can significantly improve health.

References Centers for Disease Control, U.S.
Surgeon General
11
Government and Community Support

• Federal legislation and guidance.
• State and MPO programs.
• Rising levels of public concern about bicycling
  and walking conditions.

12
Planning Trends

• Complete Streets policies.
• Trends in commercial and residential design.
• Safe Routes to Schools programs.
• Interconnected trail networks.
• Roadway design that favors lower speeds.
• More public involvement in transportation
  planning process.

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Lesson Summary

• Post-WW II development plans have hampered the
  ability to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian
  travel.
• There are many reasons to encourage the use of
  nonmotorized transportation.
• Currently, there is strong government and
  community support for walking and biking.
• This support is leading to positive trends in
  planning and roadway design.