Active Transportation Making the Link from Transportation to Physical Activity and Obesity

Walking and bicycling for daily transportation are important sources of physical activity, but they have declined dramatically over the past few decades. Between 1977 and 1995,a the number of all walking trips decreased by 32 percent, and there was a similar decrease in trips made by adults walking to work.9 Adults walk for only 21.2 percent of trips that are one mile or less, and children walk for only 35.9 percent of trips to school that distance.10 Reversing the decline in rates of walking and biking for transportation, especially for short trips, presents a major opportunity for improving health among children, adolescents and adults.