In The Economist

After 50 years of car culture, new generations and culture may be turning the “car-peak” down. After years of urban planning devoted to the use of cars, youngsters are felling the “sprawl wall”, time travelled and cost of owning a car, making them to drive less and find other ways of efficient and reliable transportation such us the use of bikes, public transportation and car-sharing programs. Cities in the developing world are already projecting and planning for less car use investing and improving the public massive systems, increasing the capacity, reliability and speed.”

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By Richard Florida

In this article, Richard Florida talks about the increasing senior population between 45 or older, in which their new life style and activities are different than previous retiree’s generations, attracting the baby boomers into the metropolitan cities that offers better health care, attractions and post-work passions rather than the quiet and isolated sprawl oriented suburbs in which the public and private sector should be paying more attention including the senior population into the present and future urban developments.”

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By Joanne Alexandra in the National Post

Unsurprising, a new survey shows that although 58% of Canadian parents walked to school in their schools years, only 28% of their children are walking to school nowadays. In this article posted in the National Post, Joanna Alexandra discuss the increase of kids walking to schools and how the most educated and well-fit parents are influencing the pattern of driving the kids to school, even if they live in the most premium residences and safety walkable communities, contributing to kids’ health problems and a lack of social and physical activity.”

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By Sarah Goodyear
In many cities, unfortunately, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians still compete for space. This, for the Dutch, “is not safe anymore.” In the Netherlands a new concept of respect on the road has been manifested with their new Hovenring, a “floating” bicycle roundabout. Right above the highway, the beautiful roundabout gives cyclists a safe space just for them. The Hovenring is a stunning infrastructure that provides a clear line separating cars and bikes; this not only creates a safer transit environment but also a great sense of community. The article presents great images in which we can appreciate a new meaning to the phrase “share the road.”

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On CBC News
With a concern for Canadian health and active lifestyle, doctors are increasingly prescribing their patients with specific exercise as a means to prevent illness. The “Prescriptions to get Active,” come with checklists so the patient can follow as they would with medical prescriptions. The article discusses the importance of exercise for healthy living as well as the ways in which this importance is becoming official in the doctor’s office. Let’s exercise to have a healthy and active life!

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By Richard Louv
While diet and genetics are key contributers to obesity, Richard Louv diuscusses the role of inactivity. According to an article published by the Harvard Business Review, “Sitting is the Smoking of our Generation,” as we work, we sit more than we do anything else. On average, counting the time we sit at home, we sit 9.3 hours per day. Not only that, but children are educated with these standards by sitting the majority of their time in the classroom and then at home in front of the TV. This is a big problem since physical inactivity causes 5.3 million deaths per year. The article explores the similarities between the risks caused by smoking and the risks and dangers caused by inactivity in our daily lives. The article not only discusses the dangers to this problem, but also explores various solutions, solutions as simple as a “walk-and-talk” meeting at work, to develop a more healthy and active lifestyle for all ages!

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By Christopher B. Leinberger and Mariela Alfonzo
This study of Washington neighbourhoods finds that walkable places are more likely to perform better economically. Not only do environmental interventions to encourage walking increase the number of pedestrians, but office, residential, and retail rents, retail revenues, and for-sale residential values also increase. Considering the economic benefits of walkability, the authors argue that it should be a strategic component of growth plans. In addition public policy should favour the development of walkable places.

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By Jay Walljasper
In this article, the Jay Walljasper describes how the simple act of walking has turned into the key for a new revolution that allows people to feel happier and healthier. On December 5, 2012 a meeting on the benefits of walking and the importance of physical activity was held at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health in Washington, D.C. More than 100 prominent organizations from diverse fields were part of this important encounter with two common goals: 1) encouraging everyone to walk more; and 2) boosting policies, practices, and investments that will make communities everywhere more walkable. 8-80 Cities was part of this great event organized by America Walks, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership and Kaiser Permanente.

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By Project for Public Spaces
In the year of 2012, 136 pedestrians were killed and another 11,621 were injured in New York City alone. This article discusses the ways in which citizens and our media tend to characterise these “accidents” as unavoidable and innocent consequences of modern motorized society. Unfortunately we also see media “blaming the victim” making walking seem like it is more an extreme sport rather than a natural phenomenon that everyone should feel comfortable and safe doing in their normal everyday life. The author recommends different ways to help amend solve the situation, such as “rightsizing” - reconfiguring the layout of our streets to better serve the people who use them, whether they’re commuters driving, shoppers walking, or children bicycling. We all have the right to walk – and like most rights; it's one that must be defended.

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By Project for Public Spaces
After some controversy and hesitation to change, the Prospect Park West redesign proved to be greatly successful for the community. Previous to its redesign, the Prospect Park West consisted on three one-way travel lanes with a parking lane on each side of the road. In response to local concerns about speeding and to improve community safety, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) removed one lane and accommodated a new two-way bikeway. The new design not only improved street mobility and street safety, but also contributed to a more active community.

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By Sarah Goodyear
In 1969, 50 per cent of kids in the United States walked to school every day. In 2009 that number plummeted down to 13 per cent. Today, most parents are choosing to drive their kids to school because they perceive this choice as safer due to heavy car congestion, and more convenient despite shorter distances between home and school. But would this choice change if parents knew that having their kids walk or bike to school actually had tangible benefits (aside from exercise)? A Danish study released last year explains that there is a cognitive relationship between walking and cycling to school and a student’s ability to concentrate. The study shows that active transportation can improve students’ academic performance and comprehension of their neighbourhood surroundings.

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By Jeppe Villadsen
The Chinese metropolis Chongqing is one of China’s fastest growing cities with a population of over 11 million people. For many years, urban planning in this megacity has favoured cars and motorways over pedestrian-oriented development. But now, citizens and city council are embarking on a new challenge to reverse this trend and reclaim the streets of Chongqing for pedestrians and cyclists. In partnership with Gehl Architects, the Danish urban research and design consulting firm, city council’s objective is to build a pedestrian network through the central city that will enhance urban public space, improve street quality, and promote sustainability in the city’s planning practices. Though nonetheless, this development program is not without its obstacles, as Yu Jun, Director of the Chief Engineer’s Office, Chongqing Planning and Design Institute, recognizes: “To orient the urban development of Chongqing in a sustainable direction is quite a challenge for us at a time when automobiles dominate city life.”

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By International Transport Forum
Walking is the most fundamental, accessible, and inexpensive form of mobility, so why is it so neglected from urban transport policies? As the most sustainable form of active transportation, the importance of walking for both our health and mobility needs to receive more political support and attention from policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Local governments need to recognize the importance of better pedestrian infrastructure, enhanced public transit, and higher density urban design. Walkability is a key determinant of sustainability and liveability in our cities, and this report outlines key recommendations on how governments can achieve walkable cities.

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By Simone Usborne
Can riding a bike stimulate our minds just as effectively as it can stimulate our bodies? In this article, Simone Usborne explores the relationship between cycling and human brain chemistry. She cites several studies that draw on the extraordinary spiritual and emotional effects of cycling as both a leisurely and physical activity. Scientists are confirming that cycling not only has the ability to put us in a happier and meditative state, but can also help children perform better on tests, increase the motor abilities of Parkinson’s patients, and result in improved symptoms for people with disorders such as ADHD.

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By By Jonathan Maus
There has been a lot of talk regarding the “bicycling renaissance” in countries across the world, however, a great portion of the population still fall under that "interested but concerned" category and do not ride because they feel it is not safe. Portland OR, the shining bike city, has nearly 13% citizens commuting by bike within the central city; a number equivalent to that of outer suburbs in Amsterdam. Every city has room to grow. Given the extensive evidence for the broad-range of benefits derived from bicycle-oriented cities, it is critical that we prioritize the importance of creating cities that accommodate those from 8 – 80 years old.

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By Richard Blackwell
Recent research conducted by Professor Kay Teschke from the University of British Columbia and published in the American Journal of Public Health hopes to further highlight the value of separated bike lanes. After interviewing hundreds of victims of bike accidents, they discovered that cyclists are ten times more likely to get injured when riding on a busy street with parked cars, as compared to riding on physically separated bike lanes. Findings from this study outline the importance of a complete network of physically-separated bikeways to increase the number of individuals on bikes and enhance their experience on two wheels.

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By Christopher B. Leinberger
Until the 1990’s, suburban car-oriented neighbourhoods were amongst the hottest commodity in terms of real estate. A recent study by the Brookings Institution has revealed a change in this trend, currently real estate values increase as a function of the walkability of the neighbourhood, defined as the extent to which everyday needs are accessible by foot. It appears that this prime urban real-estate is not only the most costly, but where people earning the highest income are residing, and therefore paying the highest taxes. People are choosing to pay increasing amounts of money to live in the most walkable neighbourhoods because it provides them with a greater quality of life.

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By Emily Badger
Researchers from St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto have released striking results regarding the effect of a neighborhood’s pedestrian-friendly zones on rates of diabetes. The study found that immigrants residing in less-walkable neighbourhoods were at least 50% more likely to get diabetes than long-term residents living in more walkable neighbourhoods. With increasing rates of diabetes, this study can have a remarkable influence on the design of current and future urban design projects to collaboratively improve people's health.

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By America Walks and Sam Schwartz Engineering
Walking is the oldest, and yet most common form of transportation used by people of all ages, cultures and economic status. It has a profound impact on transportation, health, economic development, social equality and overall quality of life. Steps to a Walkable Community is a comprehensive guide useful for those interested in contributing to creating environments where citizens have the choice to walk to their desired destination. The guide outlines the benefits of investing in walk-friendly design infrastructures as well as provides multidisciplinary tactics on improving walking conditions in various cities.

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Published in the Low-Tech Magazine
Can you envision yourself bicycling through the beautiful cities of Europe…and in addition, get paid for doing so? Many European cities are replacing the use of cargo trucks to that of cycles, given that the idea offers great benefits such as fuel savings, a decrease in pollution, noise and traffic congestion on the street, as well as potential for new job opportunities and economic gains. The bicycles have proven to be able to stand speeds as fast as or faster than the average cargos due to availability of alternative routes, as well as cost nearly 98% less than the average cargo van. The economic, socio-cultural and ecological benefits of cargo cyclists appear to be endless!

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By The Chicago Department of Transportation
Chicago’s Department of Transportation continues to impress with this new publication. After the launch of their bold Chicago Forward Transportation Plan, the DOT has now released a visionary and user-friendly action plan for pedestrians. The plan sets out clear goals and measurable targets- a great example for any city that is interested in making streets safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians. Included in the report is a “toolbox” that outlines simple design measures for creating safer streets.”

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By AECOM and Centre for Transport and Society
Between 2008 and 2011, the Department for Transport, Cycling England and the Department of Health invested over £43M (approximately $68M CDN) to create the twelve Cycling City and Towns. The aim of the program was to explore whether and how increased investment in cycling, as part of a whole-town strategy, could lead to a significant and sustained increase in the number of cyclists and frequency of cycling. This report is an evaluation of the outcomes and impacts of the program. Researchers interviewed continued cyclists, new regular cyclists, and non-regular cyclists in the participating towns to find out what influenced their cycling behaviours. Analysis of the interviews found that whether or not a person cycles at all, or cycles for particular kinds of journeys, is determined by a mix of contextual factors including economic/policy environment, cycling infrastructure and facilities, social/cultural, and individual.”

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By Canada Walks
In just one generation we have changed from a country where the majority of children walk to school, to one where the majority of children are driven to school. This article describes the findings of a national project initiated by Canada Walks, a program dedicated to promoting more walkable communities, which aimed to address the barriers associated with active travel for students. Through a combination of active and safe routes to schools programming and applying simple transportation demand management principles the program was able to cause a shift to more active modes in participating schools.”

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By Kaid Benfield in The Atlantic Cities
Benfield writes about a recent post by Steve Mouzon, an architect and designer, who questions the long-held assertion that the quarter mile radius or 5 minute walk, is the uniform distance Americans will walk before driving. The author summarizes what Mouzon dubs as “walk appeal” that how nice or appealing a place is for walking is positively correlated with the distance people are willing to walk. While not a new concept in the planning and walkable communities world, what is interesting is Mouzon’s attempts to quantify and measure “walk appeal.” Benfield summarizes the concept while also challenging his metrics and adding factors that should be included but are difficult to measure. Benfield writes, “The business of what makes places appealing to walkers may be as much art as science.”

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By Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute
We’ve probably all heard the argument: “Cyclists and pedestrians don’t pay for roads like car drivers do and therefore they have less of a right to be there.” Litman investigates these assumptions and finds that less than half of roadway expenses are financed by motor vehicle user fees, and pedestrians and cyclists pay more than their share of roadway costs. Most funding for local roads (the roads pedestrians and cyclists use most) is from general taxes, which people pay regardless of how they travel. Since bicycling and walking impose lower roadway costs than motorized modes, people who rely on non-motorized modes actually tend to subsidize motorists.

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by Chicago Department of Transportation
For several years there has been a heated debate regarding the need for protected bike lanes: do they really work? The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has conducted research in efforts to put an end to the doubts. A presentation of direct advantages and statistical data from world-class cities such as New York and Chicago depicts the absolute need for protected bike lanes as an anchor to increased ridership, decreased crashes, and minimized speed of motor vehicles.

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by Metrolink
Over the past 25 years, the amount of children walking to school in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Aea (GTHA) has decreased steadily. This has ultimately contributed to the increase in traffic congestion at peak hours, air pollution surrounding the school, and decrease in daily exercise. The Stepping it Up Pilot Project has been implemented in 30 different elementary schools in the GTHA in efforts to encourage children, staff and parents to utilize active and sustainable modes of travel to school. The preliminary data from the pilot study has proven to show remarkable results, with much more to come from Metrolinx’s action plan extending until 2014!

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by James Trainor from The Cabinet Magazine
Along with his many creative writings depicting contemporary culture, James Trainer uses the present story to outline the evolution of recreation in New York City. His peculiar anecdotes illustrate the respective attitudes of children and adults regarding parks and playgrounds in the city, extending from the 1960s until present. Through his humorous descriptions, he manages to candidly depict society’s general conception of public spaces, and how their perceived function and utility has evolved through time.

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Denmark, already a world leader in urban cycling is pushing the envelope even more with their new Cycle Super Highways project. Sixteen municipalities are working together to implement the project with the aim of eventually covering the whole Regional district of Copenhagen. With the ultimate motive of creating fast, comfortable and safe biking routes that encourage citizens to utilize cycling as a preferred means of transportation, the initiative is sure to help them reach the ambitious goal of 50% of all trips by bicycle.

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in Bicycle Times
8-80 Cities’ Executive Director Gil Penalosa is interviewed and discusses his experience in Bogota as Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Penalosa explains how the use of the bicycle can reinvent a city. Cycling has not only improved the safety and quality of life in Bogota but has also done much to make mobility more equitable. “A goal is to make cities more human and more equitable, and the use of bicycles plays a role in [this] process,” Penalosa explains. He argues that the biggest obstacle to improve biking and walking conditions in cities is political, but that the fight concerned citizens have with their local governments is worth it in the long run.

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by David Darlington
...talking about the trip to school makes you talk about the whole community,” says Robert Ping, the Oregon state based director of a U.S.A. wide program called ‘Safe Routes to School National Partnership.’ This organization dates back to 1979 when walking initiatives first began in New York City. ‘Safe Routes’ has the overall goal of encouraging children to walk or bike to school in place of being driven to school. Using the five E’s of education, engineering, enforcement, evaluation and encouragement, Safe Routes promotes children using bikes not just for recreation, but for transportation purposes also.

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A group by the name of ‘WalkBoston’, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is promoting walkability within communities as an asset to business owners. While traditionally thought to be a benefit to the environment and human health, walking has been proved to increase retail sales in areas that are more walkable. Studies show that pedestrians are more likely to stop by stores and linger in them for a longer period of time. The group advocates for “modest improvements” in communities to encourage walking: “active storefronts, benches, and fun events help enliven areas and attract walkers.

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by Tara Parker-Pope
Gretchen Reynolds, author of ‘The First Twenty Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Smarter, Train Better, and Live Longer,’ says that a mere twenty minutes of exercise ever day is what we need to stay healthy. However she argues that we shouldn’t look at exercise as always a means to lose weight, but also a method staying fit. Stating that “humans are born to stroll,” Reynolds promotes looking at exercise as a way to feeling better and living longer, instead of measuring success simply by counting the pounds lost. Simple daily exercising such as walking is a huge method of improving fitness level and health. “Just move,” she says, “because it really can be so easy, and it really can change your life.

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Researchers conducted a study comparing the relationship between active transportation (% of trips taken by public transit, walking, or bicycling) and obesity rates in different counties from 1994-2006. While analyzing the data results from Europe, North America, and Australia, they found that levels of obesity had a strong inverse relationship with the amount of active transportation that one took part in. European countries were found to have the highest levels of active transportation, and evidently the lowest levels of obesity.

 
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Pedestrian bridges reunite downtowns with waterfronts, add dynamic forms to city skylines, give historic vehicular bridges new life, and bring citizens closer to nature. However, planners have managed to place them in a lower priority in accordance to park planning. This has restricted many pedestrians from safe accessibility to these areas. 

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This article uses a comparative analysis of city, state and international data to determine the magnitude, direction, and statistical significance of the relationship between active travel and rate of physical activity, obesity, and diabetes.

A growing body of evidence suggests that differences in the built environment for physical activity (e.g., infrastructure for walking and cycling, availability of public transit, street connectivity, housing density, and mixed land use) influence the likelihood that people will use active transport for their daily travel. People who live in areas that are more conducive to walking and cycling are more likely to engage in these forms of active transport and Walking and cycling can provide valuable daily physical activity. 

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In the past recent years, it has been evident that people are taking walking for granted, as it seems too easy, too commonplace, too obvious and indeed to inexpensive, even while we face this economical, environmental and health crisis. Walk21 is an organization that has proposed 8 strategic principles that cities can implement in order to create sustainable communities where people choose to walk.

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A complete street is defined as a road that accommodates motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians, including people with disabilities. More than 2 dozen jurisdictions in the US have now adopted laws in where all main roads must mandatorily be built to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, with the exception of streets where they are prohibited, where the costs are excessive, and where there it’s not necessary (residential).

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Active Transportation works in creating the transition between car-oriented infrastructures to pedestrian-friendly land use in order to increase a far more efficient use of transportation resources. It is clear that the current car-centered transportation policy has lead our communities into chronic congestion, disastrous gas bills, and highly inefficient transportation systems that lead to major health problems. The implementation of active transportation will allow us to create sustainable communities, by promoting physical activity and more liveable settings.

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by Michael M. Grynbaum
New York City’s transportation planners offers unusual insights into the precarious life on the city’s streets, pinpointing where, when and why pedestrian accidents have most often occurred. The study confirms some of the century-old assumptions about transportation in the country’s biggest city, yet it undercuts others.

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NYC Department of Transportation, 2010
NYC Department of Transportation undertook an extensive study of pedestrian safety and produced an unprecedented Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This report examines five years of data about traffic crashes that have caused serious injuries or fatalities to pedestrians, and identifies underlying causes that can be addressed to reduce these crashes.

Mayor Bloomberg has recognized the urgency of reaching this goal; as stated in Sustainable Streets, he “is committed to improving traffic safety as a fundamental public health issue.” Traffic fatalities and injuries have wide impacts on the city in terms of economic, equity, environmental and quality-of life costs. Traffic fatalities and injuries are not an unavoidable consequence of an auto-oriented society. Road safety is an issue that can be substantially addressed by informed design and engineering, education and enforcement.

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