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

New analysis of National Household Travel Survey data shows that the United States has a long way to go to overcome the dominance of the automobile for daily travel.

1 minute read

January 7, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Street

Getting more Americans to walk and bike is like swimming against the stream. | Corn Fed Chicks / Wikimedia Commons

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.

Monday, January 6, 2020 in Journal of Transport & Health via ScienceDirect

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Aeriel view of white sheep grazing on green grass between rows of solar panels.

Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US

The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.

April 24, 2024 - Columbus Dispatch

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

Wind turbines and solar panels against a backdrop of mountains in the Mojave Desert near Palm Springs, California

California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours

The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.

April 24 - Fast Company

Close-up of hand holding up wooden thermometer in front of blurred street

New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths

Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.

April 24 - Associated Press via Portland Press Herald

View of Dallas city skyline with moderately busy freeway in foreground at twilight.

AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth

Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.

April 24 - Dallas Morning News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.