Active Transportation for America

Copyright

2008

Published Date

01/01/2008

Published By

Rails to Trails Conservancy

This report quantifies the benefits that America can expect from elevating the priority of bicycling and walking in our nation's transportation system. This case statement for increased investment in bicycling and walking infrastructure evaluates benefits in the areas of transportation, oil dependence, climate change, and public health, and puts dollar estimates to the economic value of these benefits. Benefits from bicycling and walking are quantified for the status quo, and for prospective increases in bicycling and walking under a Modest Scenario and a Substantial Scenario for the future. The analysis concludes that modest increases in bicycling and walking could lead to an annual reduction of 70 billion miles of automobile travel. More substantial increases could lead to the avoidance of 200 billion miles per year.