Study: Walking and Cycling Rates Haven't Changed Much Since 2001

A new study published by the Journal of Transport & Health documents changes in walking and cycling for daily travel among U.S. residents between 2001 and 2017. The study, published in the March 2020 volume of the journal, uses National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) data to examine the extent to which rates of walking and cycling have changed along demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines.

According to the abstract and highlights from the study, the findings of the analysis include the finding that slightly more Americans are walking every day and cycling stayed steady. "There was substantial demographic, socioeconomic, and spatial variation for each year and over time," according to the post.

The lack of progress in substantially changing the numbers of walkers and bikers, however, inspires the author of the study to call on government officials to invest more in bike and pedestrian infrastructure.