Walking to School: Into the Wind, Uphill... Both Ways Mark Fenton Pedestrian and Bicycle Information...
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Transcript of Walking to School: Into the Wind, Uphill... Both Ways Mark Fenton Pedestrian and Bicycle Information...
Walking to School: Into the Wind, Uphill . . . Both Ways
Mark Fenton
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
Univ. of North Carolina
Surgeon General’s 1996 Activity Recommendation • 30 minutes of
activity.• Most days of the
week.• Can be broken up.• Reduced risk for
CVD, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, clinical depression, some forms of cancer.
Physical activity recommendation for children: (1994 consensus conf.)
• Physically active everyday as part of
lifestyle (30? 60? minutes).
• 20 minutes of vigorous activity, at least 3
days/week.
US Youth Overweight RatesJAMA 288 (14); Oct 9, 2002.
US Youth Physical Activity Rates(CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
US Youth Meeting Vigorous PA Recommendation
(CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
Health Related Quality of Life for Obese vs. Healthy Children
Schwimmer et.al., JAMA 289 (14); April 9, 2003
Obesity related issues:•Reduced physical function.•Increased absenteeism.•Reduced school performance.•Increased diabetes, sleep apnea, tibia vara, glucose & lipid imbalances, etc.
Three keys for active children:
• Reduce inactive time (TV, videos).
• Provide ample, safe, inviting play
environments.
• Allow exploration and success in a
variety of activities.
Broad approaches to increasing children’s activity levels:
• Structured activity (sports, P.E., recess).
• Motivation & skill to be active on their
own.
• Activity as a routine part of the day.
“Active Commuting to School:An Overlooked Source of Children’s
Physical Activity?”Tudor-Locke, Ainsworth; Sports Med. 2001; 31(5).
“. . . a programme of frequent walking (or bicycling), regardless of destination, is likely to be important in preventing and treating childhood obesity”
No one walks to school anymore . . . Parent reported; MMWR Aug. 2002, 4(32):701-704
• Active trips to school: 14%
(Walking 11%; cycling 3%)
• Less than or equal to a mile:
31% of trips.
Barriers to Walking to SchoolParent reported; MMWR Aug. 2002, 4(32):701-704
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Distance Traffic Weather Crime Policy Other None
% Reporting Barrier
Walk to School Day; Safe Routes to School
History of Walk to School
• 1997: PWA launches in Chicago, LA.• 1998: Truly national event (25+ states).• 1999: CA statewide conference.• 2000: CA Safe Routes legislation.• 2001: National demonstration projects.• 2002: 3 million walkers, in 28 countries.
WTS Level 1:One Day Events
• Build awareness.
• Increase demand for walkability.
• Launch coalitions.
• Remember (or discover) the fun!
WTS Level 2:On-going Activities
• Continue promotional events.
• Launch walking school busses.
• Choose, designate safer routes.
• Use walkability checklists.
Walking School Busses:•Schedule
routes.•First aid,
safety training.
•Background checks.•Retiree
“drivers.”
Walk & Bike-ability checklists:
•Room to walk/ride?•Able to cross?•Traffic a problem?•Safe, pleasant?•Accommodating?•Ample destinations?www.pedbikeinfo.org
WTS Level 3:Infrastructure Improvements• Build, repair sidewalks and trails,
remove barriers.
• Improve crosswalks, signals; hire crossing guards; calm traffic.
• Relocate auto drop-off areas; no idling policies & car-free zones.
We know how to make safer
crossings.
Shorten distances.Divide the task.Slow the cars!
Vertical Traffic
Calming:
Speed bumps, humps, tables.
Horizontal Traffic Calming:
Curvature, chicanes,
diversions, bulb-outs, median
refuges.
Traffic Controls:
Signs, flashers, signals.
Note pedestrian countdown timer . . .
Narrowing Lanes:
Lane markings, wide sidewalks,
trees, cars, “furniture,” buildings.
WTS Level 4:Institutional Change
• Hire non-motorized travel coordinator.
• Legislate Safe Routes to School funding (state, federal).
• Alter school siting, district, and size decisions.
Figure out where you are, and move up!
• One day event.• On-going promotion.
• Infrastructure improvements.• Institutional
change.
Lesson 1: The physical activity argument.
• ~5,000 pedestrian deaths due to auto crashes.
• ~300,000 deaths due to sedentary lifestyles.
Lesson 2: Start with the Three P’s . . .
• Principal (school admin.)
• Parents (PTO/PTA).
• Police (safety).
Lesson 3: . . . but work with all the constituents.
• Safer streets.
• Local economic vitality.
• Cleaner environment.
• Greater social equity.
• Better students.
Who are the constituents?
• Neighborhood groups.
• Chamber of commerce.
• Conservation commission.
• Seniors, religious groups.
• Faculty, staff.
Church groups,Neighborhood,
Seniors.
TransportEngineering
DPW’s
Chamber of Commerce
Public SafetyPolice, fire
Land UseTrails & Greenways
Parks & Rec. Planning
Health, Schools
InternationalWalk to School Day
• October 8, 2003.
• www.walktoschool.org
• www.walkinginfo.org