The Alliance for Biking and Walking just issued Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking Report shows that increasing bicycling and walking are goals that are clearly in the public interest.

Summary: The Report shows, the United States overall has great disparities between bicycling and walking mode share, safety, and funding. Twelve percent of trips are by bicycle or foot, yet bicyclists and pedestrians make up 14% of traffic fatalities and receive just 1.6% of federal transportation dollars. In addition, where bicycling and walking levels are higher, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes levels are lower. Higher levels of bicycling and walking also coincide with increased bicycle and pedestrian safety and higher levels of physical activity. Increasing bicycling and walking can help solve many serious problems facing our nation. If just one out of every 10 adults started a regular walking program, the U.S. could save $5.6 billion in health care costs — enough to pay the college tuition of more than 1 million students. As this report indicates, many states and cities are making progress toward promoting safe access for bicyclists and pedestrians, but much more remains to be done

More information and download of report available at: http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/memberservices/2012_benchmarking_report/#findings