Public transportation is an important tool for many people, especially in midsized to large sized cities. It allows for us to live closer to each other, and allows for independence as we age. Public transportation also helps us in our quests to walk more.
More people are walking, but just how many depends on where they live, their health, and their age.
- The West and Northeast regions have the highest percentage of adults who walk in the country, but the South showed the largest percent increase of adults who walk compared to the other regions.
- More adults with arthritis or high blood pressure are now walking, but not those with type 2 diabetes.
- Walking increased among adults 65 or older, but less than in other age groups.
People need safe, convenient places to walk.
- People are more likely to walk and move about more when they feel protected from traffic and safe from crime and hazards.
- Maintaining surfaces can keep people who walk from falling and getting hurt. This also helps wheelchairs and strollers and is safer for people with poor vision.
- People need to know where places to walk in their communities exist that are safe and convenient.
- Walking routes in and near neighborhoods encourage people to walk to stops for buses, trains, and trolleys.
From: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/walking/index.html