Report Links Decline in Cycling to Nation's Obesity Epidemic

According to a report released by the Thunderhead Alliance, a national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, Georgia ranks in the bottom five of the fifty states in correlations of bicycling and walking work trips with obesity levels, high blood pressure rates, and diabetes rates. The dust settling on Americans' parked bikes is likely linked to our expanding waistlines.

Bicycling and Walking in the U.S., Thunderhead's first biennial Benchmarking Report, shows that bicycling and walking have been in decline in the U.S. since the 1960s. At the same time, there has been a surge in adults and children who are obese.

The report compares, for the first time ever, bicycling and walking levels, investment in bicycling and walking, and public health. The most striking findings reveal major disparities between cycling and walking levels, traffic fatalities, and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

According to GEORGIA BIKES! Executive Director David Crites, most public health advocates already preach the benefits of biking and walking.

“This report clearly demonstrates that states with the lowest rates of cycling and walking almost always have the highest levels of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes," Crites said.

Besides linking cycling, walking, and public health, the report highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in regards to increasing bicycling and walking. Bicycling and walking make up 9.6 percent of all trips. Yet bicyclists and pedestrians represent 12.9 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, and only 1.5 percent of federal transportation dollars are spent on bicycling and walking projects (in Georgia, 10.2% of traffic fatalities and 1.2 percent of federal transportation funding).

"State and local governments can choose how much of their money goes towards expanding highways or improving their communities for bicycling and walking," says Thunderhead Alliance Executive Director Sue Knaup. "In order to make streets safe and inviting for all citizens, and reverse our nation's obesity epidemic, state and local officials must get serious about investing in bicycling and walking."

The report was released to Thunderhead Alliance's network of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations and government officials throughout the country. Thunderhead anticipates that advocates, officials, and citizens will use this cutting-edge report to promote a greater investment in bicycling and walking in their communities.

To view Bicycling and Walking in the U.S., visit:
http://www.thunderheadalliance.org/pdf/benchmarking2007.pdf