[H+T--Friends] New research: How policies can encourage walking & bicycling

Greetings: Active Living Research<http://activelivingresearch.org/> would like to share with you a brand new ALR product titled Moving Toward Active Transportation: How Policies Can Encourage Walking and Bicycling<http://activelivingresearch.org/ActiveTravelreview>ew>. The research review summarizes current research on the health benefits and safety of active travel, and examines policies and programs that can help to increase walking and biking rates. The research review shows that: * The health benefits of physical activity in general have been well-documented by hundreds of studies. More recently, a growing number of studies have confirmed that these benefits are linked to walking and cycling specifically. * The health benefits of active transportation exceed its risks of injury and exposure to air pollution. * Safety is a key consideration for promoting active travel. Importantly, places with higher levels of walking and cycling also have greater safety for pedestrians. * Provision of convenient, safe, and connected walking and cycling infrastructure is at the core of promoting active travel. * Aside from specific infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, the way neighborhoods and communities are built affects levels of active travel. * Walking or biking for daily travel needs can be promoted as a convenient and competitive option through programs that shift travel behavior. * Policies that improve public transport, or make car use less attractive, increase the competitiveness of active travel modes. * Policies to promote active travel will work best when implemented in comprehensive packages; these may include infrastructure and facility improvements, pricing policies, and education programs to achieve substantial shifts towards active modes. You can download the review here: http://activelivingresearch.org/ActiveTravelreview We hope that you will find the review useful in your work and request that you please share with your networks and/or constituents. We will soon release a new infographic based on findings from this research review. Please forgive cross-postings and let us know if you have any questions. Thanks, Active Living Research ---- Active Living Research University of California, San Diego 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310 San Diego, CA 92103 Website: www.activelivingresearch.org<http://www.activelivingresearch.org/> Promoting activity-friendly communities.