Walking and bicycling are good sources of exercise and, when used in place of motorized transport, reduce noise, pollution and congestion on city streets. The presence of walkers and cyclists on city streets also increases opportunities for social contact and interaction, providing a natural method of community building and “community policing.”

Walking is typically preferred for short trips in urban neighborhoods. In many suburbs, however, low-density development and segregated land uses mean that walking is not a practical transportation option, except for its own sake. Because it is three to four times faster than walking, bicycling can serve a much broader range of trips. Indeed, urban bicycle trips up to five miles and sometimes more are often faster than traveling by car or public transit. Bicycling is an especially attractive option in congested areas where auto use is inconvenient due to busy streets and scarce parking.

How are we doing?

According to US Census data released in 2002, the number of people walking and biking to work decreased in the city of Boston, Inner Core communities and in the Metro Boston region, while automobile registrations increased significantly in all these areas between 1990 and 2000.  The largest number of people walking/biking to work live closest to the downtown core, with the highest concentration of housing and jobs.

Many people are afraid of bicycling in the very urban areas where bicycling is most practical, due to high traffic volumes. Increasing dedicated bike and pedestrian paths and dedicated rights of way for bicyclists will help Boston residents to engage safely in these health- and community-enhancing modes of travel. On a regional basis, more bicycle- and pedestrian-path projects were put into effect in 2001 than in the previous five years.