BIKING FOR ALL TEXANS Forhealth health, forfun, for transportation Prof. John Pucher, Rutgers University
Walking and Bicycling: the MOST sustainable ti transport tmodes MOST environmentally friendly: >Virtually no pollution at all >Almost no nonrenewable resources used MOST equitable: >Financially affordable by virtually everyone >Physically possible by all but the severely disabled MOST economical: >Minimal private and public costs >Although they take more time, they provide exercise that reduces medical costs and greatly extends our healthy life expectancy
BICYCLING IS HEALTHY! Provides valuable physical activity Both for daily travel and for recreation Cheaper, easier, and more dependable than formal exercise routines Can C be integrated t into daily lifestyle l to achieve practical travel needs
Crucial importance of regular physical exercise: Obviously, the daily physical exercise of walking and cycling for practical travel helps burn up calories and helps avoid the problems of overweight and obesity Moreover: Whether h normal-weight, overweight, or obese, physically inactive persons are 2 to 3 times more likely l to die prematurely." Journal of Am. Med. Assoc. (1999)
Huge Health Benefits of Even Small Increases in Physical Activityit Bouchard C. Physical activity and health: introduction to the dose-response symposium. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2001; 33: S347-350
Korea Japan Sw itzerland Italy France Austria Sw eden Netherlands Denmark Finland Germany Ireland Canada New Zealand Australia UK USA Obesity Rate by Country (Body Obesity Rate by Country (Body Mass Index 30) Mass Index 30) (percentage of adults) Does speaking English make us fat? 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5 4 person) 1990 1999 2008 No Data <10% 10% 14% 15% 19% 20% 24% 25% 29% 30%
Worsening Obesity Epidemic among American Children and Adolescents, 1963-2002 (% with body mass index of 30+)
Does auto-dependency make us fat? Obesity falls sharply with increased walking, cycling, and transit use! 30 60 Bike,Transit 25 20 15 10 50 40 30 20 Percent of Obesity Percent Walk, USA New Zealand Australia Canada a Ireland France Finland Italy Spain Germany Sweden Austria Netherlands Switzerland Denmark 5 0 10 0 Obesity Walk, Bike, Transit
Lots of Potential for Increased Cycling in the USA: Short trips Many daily trips in American urban areas are short enough to make by bike! 25% of all trips in U.S. metro areas were a mile or shorter in 2001 40% of all trips were shorter than two miles
Lots of Potential for Increased Cycling in the USA: Almost EVERYONE could bike! Cycling C is possible at any age, except for very young and very old Women can cycle as well as men Cycling C possible for wide range of skills and physical fitness Cycling affordable by everyone
30% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Bike share of trips in 25% Bike share of trips in 27% Europe, North America, and Australia 18% (percent of trips by bike) 11% 10% 10% 8% 6% 5% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% alia ('01) USA ('01) UK ('05) Canad ada ('01) Irela land ('02) Ita taly ('00) Franc nce ('94) Norwa way ('01) Austr stria ('95) Switzerlan and ('00) Belgiu ium ('99) Germa any ('02) Swede den ('00) Finlan and ('98) Denma mark ('01) Netherland nds ('05) Austral
Perc cent of Trips 45 40 Increase in Bike Share of Trips in Cities Around the 35 World 30 25 20 27 25 23 29 35 37 25 25 38 40 40 15 14 15 10 10 8 5 5 0 Berlin ('90-'07) Boulder ('90-'06) Odense ('94-'02) Freiburg ('82-'07) Muenster ('82-'01) Amsterdam ('70-'05) Copenhagen ('98-'05) Groningen ('90-'05) Source: Pucher, Dill, and Handy, Infrastructure, Programs, and Policies to Increase Bicycling, Preventive Medicine, Jan 2010, Vol. 50, S.1, pp. S106-S125.
6.0 6.0 Percent of Trip ps 5.0 40 4.0 3.0 Increase in Bike Share of Trips in Cities Around the World 3.2 2.5 4.3 2.0 1.6 1.8 1.0 1.2 0.8 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.1 0.0 London ('03-'06) Barcelona ('05-'07) Paris ('01-'07) Bogota ('95-'07) Minneapolis ('80-'08) Portland ('90-'08) Source: Pucher Dill and Handy Infrastructure Programs and Policies Source: Pucher, Dill, and Handy, Infrastructure, Programs, and Policies to Increase Bicycling, Preventive Medicine, Jan 2010, Vol. 50, S.1, pp. S106-S125.
3 2.5 2.44 Share of Workers Commuting 2 by Bike in Texas Cities 1.5 2006-2008 (percent) 1 1.07 0.5.49.47.39.39.36.24.18.18.17.17.17.15.11 0 College Station Austin United States Abilene Houston Waco Lubbock Texas Fort Worth Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey El Paso Amarillo Corpus Christi Odessa Dallas San Antonio
60% 55% 50% Women s share of bike trips in Europe, Australia, and North America 49% 55% ips by wome en 45% 40% 45% Perce ent of bike tri 35% 30% 25% 25% 29% 30% 21% 20% 15% 10% Australia USA UK Canada Denmark Germany Netherlands
70 60 59% Women s Share of Bike 50 Commuters to Work in Texas 40 Cities, 2006-2008 (percent) 30 27% 24% 23% 20 19% 16% 16% 14% 10 11% 10% 4% 3% 3% 0 Odessa Austin United States Houston Texas San Antonio Abilene Lubbock Waco Corpus Christi College Station 0% 0% El Paso Dallas Amarillo Fort Worth Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
Cycling can start at a very young age Foto by Marie Demers
And we can keep cycling all life long!!!
Bike Share of Local Trips by Age Group in the USA, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands (2000-2002) 2002) 37.0% 35% 36% 32.0% 27.0% 22.0% 20% 22% 23% 24% 17.0% 18% 17% 12.0% 10% 12% 13% 13% 12% 10% 12% 7.0% 7% 8% 8% 3.2% 2.0% 0.6% 0.6% 0.4% 0.4% -3.0% 5-15 16-24 25-39 40-65 65 + 14-18 18-25 26-45 46-60 60-65 65 + 16-19 Age Group 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-74 0-15 16-25 26-45 46-64 65 + Sources: DIW (2003), U.S. Department of Transportation (2003), National Statistical Offices of Denmark and the Netherlands (2005)
Mother and kids cycling together th in Amsterdam
Parents and kids cycling together th in Portland
T How y grandmothers p transport i grandkids in c Netherlands a l s c
CYCLING IS DIVINE!! How Catholic nuns get around in Muenster, Germany
Make Cycling Safe for Everyone! Especially important for the young, the old, for anyone with disabilities, for the timid or risk-averse Women more sensitive to safety than men Safety of cycling in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany helps explain high levels of cycling there
7.0 60 6.0 5.0 40 4.0 3.0 20 2.0 1.0 Cycling Fatality Rates in North America and Europe, 2002 (cyclist deaths per 100 million km cycled) Separate cycling facilities are key to the much safer cycling in in Denmark and the Netherlands 1.03 1.24 153 1.53 2.04 2.39 2.43 3.00 354 3.54 5.74 00 0.0 Denmark Netherlands Sweden France Canada Germany Source: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (2005); European Union (2003); and U.S. Department of Transportation (2003 and 2005) UK Italy USA
The Dutch do NOT wear safety helmets, yet have the safest cycling in the world!
SAFETY IN NUMBERS As levels of cycling increase, injury and fatality rates per trip and per km traveled fall dramatically Thus, if we can increase cycling, it will almost inevitably be safer
Public Policies Crucial to Increase Cycling Pro-car policies in European cities in 1950s and 1960s caused huge decline in cycling Dramatic policy turn-around since 1970s to limit car use and promote cycling, walking, and public transport in Dutch, Danish, and German cities
Bridge in Freiburg BEFORE and AFTER reforms
Typical residential street in Freiburg BEFORE traffic calming reforms Typical residential street in Freiburg AFTER traffic calming reforms
Cathedral Square in Freiburg BEFORE transport tand urban planning reforms Cathedral Square in Freiburg AFTER transport and urban planning reforms
How to Increase Cycling and Make it Safer Better cycling route facilities and bike parking Integration of walk/bike with public transport Traffic calming of residential neighborhoods Mixed-use zoning and improved urban design Restrictions on motor vehicle use Traffic education and Safe Routes to School Traffic regulations and enforcement
Most European cities have extensive car- free districts ideal for walking and cycling
Bikes and buses take up much less space than cars!! Demonstration on main street of Muenster how much space cars take compared to buses or bikes to transport the same number of people
Cycle tracks such as these make it safe and comfortable for all to bike: including women, children, and seniors
Cycling for EVERYONE
Bicycle expressway-beltway in Muenster, Germany Note exclusive cycle path in middle and completely separate pedestrian walkways on both sides
Walkable and Bikeable European suburbs Most new suburban developments in Germany and the Netherlands have sidewalks and cycle paths
Santa Barbara coastal path: Safe and attractive both for cyclists and pedestrians Conversion of two car lanes to bike path and wider sidewalk
Wide bike lane in Santa Barbara, well away from parked cars
Ideal solution for arterials: Traffic-protected cycle track on 9 th Avenue, Manhattan
Typical intersection in Copenhagen, with separate crossings for pedestrians and cyclists
Bike crossing designed to reduce likelihood of right-turning car hitting cyclist crossing intersection
Bike access lane approaching intersection in Dutch city
Using special markings to raise visibility and safety of crossing
Improving safety of cycle tracks at road crossings
Contraflow lane in Strassbourg, France
Contra-flow cycling permitted on most local streets even without special lanes
Contra-flow bike access in Vancouver Foto: Gordon Price
Bike bridge along Ems River in Muenster Bike bridge along Yarra River in Melbourne Foto by Peter Berkeley
Bridge over Rhine between Germany and France
Foto by Peter Berkeley Brisbane s s floating bikeway
Extensive, fully-integrated bikeway network in Freiburg, Germany CRUCIAL to have full connectivity of cycling facilities! Usually lacking in North America
Recommended route appears in red on computer screen, along with trip details shown at top of screen, and more!
Bike Route Planning by Mobile Phone, with suggested route shown on LCD display
Special traffic signals and signs give priority to cyclists
Bike crossing signal in Amsterdam
Four-way all-green signal for cyclists in Portland Bike sensor in pavement
Bike sensors in pavement to trigger green light for cyclists in Richmond, Metro Vancouver, BC
Bike lane, advance stop line, and priority signal for cyclists in Muenster
Highly visible red bike lanes for intersection crossings on all four sides, connected with red brick sidepaths on both sides of every road Muenster, Germany
Raised curb protects bike path from cars Express bikeways for commuters Bike speed indicators Green wave for cyclists in Odense, Denmark Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark
Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark Denmark: Ubiquitous short-cuts for right-hand turns and full-speed ahead for cyclists at red lights at T-intersections
Photo by Susan Handy Innovative directional signs and bike trip counters in Denmark Photo by Susan Handy
Good bike route signage is crucial
Convenient air pumps for bikes throughout Odense
Traffic Calming of Residential Neighborhoods Speed limited by law to 30km per hour (19mph) or less Physical h i l measures that force cars to slow down: Road narrowing, zigzag routing, chicanes Raised intersections and crosswalks Traffic circles Speed humps and bumps Mid-block closures and artificial dead-ends Bulb-outs at intersections and crosswalks, with sidewalk widening
Traffic Calming Measures Traffic Calming Volume Control Measures Speed Control Measures Full -& partial closures Diverters - Median - barriers Forced - turn islands Active Measures Passive Measures Vertical Deflection Measures - Speed Humps/Tables Raised - Crosswalks Raised - Intersections Speed Cushions Horizontal Deflection Measures - Roundabouts - Mini Roundabouts - Chicanes - Alternate Side Parking - Realigned Intersection - Center Island Medians Constrictions - Curb Extensions - Neck downs - Chokers - Slow Points - Gateways - Ped. Refuge Islands - On-Street Parking - Bicycle Lanes - Narrowed Lanes - Streetscape - Speed Gun w/vms - Special Signs - Forced Perspective - Rumble Strips - Rumble Stripes - Color Pavement - Textured Pavement - Textured Markings
Why Traffic Calming Saves Lives Speed Speed kills! kills! Source: World Health Organization (2008) and OECD Transport Research Centre (2006)
Speed Humps Chokers Traffic Circles Traffic Circle Raised Crosswalk
Curb Extension Neckdown/Bulbout Median Island Chicanes
Traffic calming in Vancouver that promotes cycling while discouraging car use Foto: Rich Drdul One-way for cars, two-way for bikes
Foto by Peter Berkeley Convenient bike cut-thru for cyclists in Melbourne
Traffic Calming in Freiburg, Germany Improves safety and encourages more walking and cycling
Traffic Calming in Freiburg, Germany Improves safety and encourages more walking and cycling
Woonerf (home zone) in Netherlands
Fotos: Jonathan Maus Traffic calming turns these streets into bikeways Bike Boulevards in Portland
Fahrradstrassen in Germany, bicycle streets where cyclists have absolute priority over cars for entire width of roadway Car-free John in Nuernberg Muenster
BIKE TRANSIT INTEGRATION
Over 50,000 buses in the USA now come equipped with bike racks Photo: Metro Transit
80% Trend in Percentage of Buses with Exterior Bicycle Racks in the USA, 2001-2008 70% 71% 62% 63% 60% 57% Racks Percent of Bu usses with Bicycle 50% 40% 30% 27% 32% 36% 46% 50% 20% 10% 0% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 (Source: APTA, Public Transportation Factbook 2008, Table 23)
New Bike Station in Washington, D.C. Photo: Ralph Buehler
Bike Station ti in Muenster, Germany Photo: Peter Berkeley
Bike Wash at Muenster Bike Station
Simple but convenient bike parking even at bus stops Bike and Ride
Bike on LRT in NJ and Minneapolis Photo: John Boyle Photo: Metro Transit
Bike parking at light rail transit stop in Freiburg, Germany
Bikes on Caltrain in San Francisco Photo: Ralph Buehler Photo: San Francisco Bicycling Coalition Photo: John Pucher
Conversion of car parking to bike parking in San Francisco Also being adopted in other US cities
Bike parking in Netherlands
Secure, sheltered bike parking
Traffic Education Improved motorist training, with much more emphasis on how to avoid endangering pedestrians and cyclists Compulsory traffic safety lessons for all school children by the age of 10, with testing by traffic police on actual traffic test courses, to ensure safe and defensive walking and cycling by an early age (as in the Netherlands and Germany)
German traffic laws generally favor cyclists and pedestrians over motorists
Cycling training and testing course in Berlin Most German and Dutch children take cycling lessons by the 3 rd or 4 th grade and must pass a police-administered cycling safety test!
MARKETING CYCLING TO ALL SOCIAL GROUPS Very diverse needs of different groups Need to tailor cycling facilities, policies, and programs to serve this broad range Be as inclusive as possible Need good facilities as well as active marketing of cycling, with different approaches to each potential group of cyclists
Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark Cycling Duckie for very young kids in Odense, Denmark
Cycling competitions for somewhat older kids in Odense, Denmark Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark
Cycling training course for adults in Metro Vancouver Foto: Bonnie Fenton You are never too old to learn!!! Foto: Amy Walker
GIVE EMPLOYEES FREE BIKES INSTEAD OF FREE PARKING! The perfect zero emissions vehicles! Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark
Get on a bike and lose weight! Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark Get rid of the sack Campaign aimed at overweight middle-aged d men with pot bellies
Troels Andersen, Cycling in Odense, Denmark Guided Bicycle Tours for Seniors
Safe Routes to School: Enable Children to Walk or Bike to Schools! Two thirds of American children who live within a mile of their school travel there by car Only 13 percent of children in the USA walked or biked to school in 2001, compared to 60 percent in 1974 Most M t European children walk or bike to school, some ride transit, virtually none get chauffered by their parents or drive themselves Need improved walking and cycling facilities to prevent dangerous conflicts with motor vehicles, especially at crossings and intersections
How kids get to school in the Netherlands
Bike to School Day in California
Mixed-Use Zoning and Better Urban Design Inclusion of sidewalks and bikeways or bike lanes in all new suburban developments and retrofitting of existing developments, elopments where possible Mixed land use zoning so that residential units are within easy walking or cycling distance of cultural facilities, shopping, and service establishments Encouragement of compact, mixed-use development around transit stops to facilitate walking/bicycling communities (transit-oriented development) through subsidies, mortgage bonuses, and zoning. Restrict parking lots to locations behind buildings rather than between buildings and the street (as with most strip mall development in USA).
Traffic Regulations and Enforcement Revise traffic laws to place burden of proof on motorists, with the assumption that motorist is guilty unless it can be shown otherwise, especially when children or elderly are involved in crashes (forcing motorists to be extra careful to avoid crashes with pedestrians and cyclists) Enforce existing legal rights of pedestrians and cyclists, with ihstrict penalties li and dfines for motorist violations i of ped/bike rights of way in crosswalks, bike lanes, intersection crossings. Traffic cameras at intersections to photograph motorists failing to stop or yield when required to do so, with automatic ticketing for violations
CONCLUSIONS: Bicycling should be for ALL TEXANS, including women, children, and seniors Bicycling is healthy, cheap, fun, and saves time Many ways to encourage more cycling and make it safer Crucial to design bicycling facilities and programs for EVERYONE! Be as inclusive as possible! Public information campaign needed to emphasize both direct and indirect public health benefits of walking and cycling
For any questions or further information, please contact: Prof. John Pucher Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Rutgers University 33 Livingston Avenue, Room 363 Email: pucher@rutgers.edu Webpage: http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher.html