A new study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health “reveals” that countries with higher rates of commuters who walk, bike, or use mass transit are healthier.
So, we need a study to tell us that walking rather than driving is healthier? I could have told you that. In fact, I just did. (Granted, I don’t have alphabet soup after my name).
From the AP report:
“Countries with the highest levels of active transportation generally had the lowest obesity rates,” authors David Bassett of the University of Tennessee and John Pucher of Rutgers University conclude.
Americans, with the highest rate of obesity, were the least likely to walk, cycle or take mass transit, according to the study in a recent issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. The study relied on each country’s own travel and health data.
Only 12 percent use active transportation in the United States – 9 percent walk, 1 percent ride a bike and 2 percent take a bus or train – while a quarter to a third are obese, the study said.
By comparison, 67 percent of commuters in Latvia, 62 percent in Sweden and 52 percent in the Netherlands either walk, bike or use mass transit. Latvia’s obesity rate is 14 percent, the Netherlands’ is 11 percent and Sweden’s is 9 percent.
The results reminded me of Raleigh’s new comprehensive plan draft, which relies heavily on mass transit and encourages walking and biking.
I spoke with Randal O’Toole (who has written for the Locke Foundation here) about the new comp plan late last week. He cited some interesting statistics from the U.S. Census Beauru:
- Almost 88 percent of all commuters in the Triangle drive to work
- 2.2 percent use public transit
- 3.5 percent walk or ride bikes
- 5.4 percent work from home
Ergo, Raleigh’s comp plan focuses resources on convincing 88 percent of commuters to do what 5.7 percent are doing.
I’m all for walking/riding to work, but it should be an individual choice, not one mandated by city government or orchestrated by city planners.
