It just so happens that climate solutions are healthy body solutions. And I'm not just talking in terms of general atmospheric improvements from CO2 reductions that wind up bettering air quality. It turns out that those of us who choose environmentally friendly transportation choices are often those who walk and bike more frequently, and these have immediate and measurable health impacts. In the Huffington Post below, Jad Daley writes "A study of California's Bay Area found that increasing walking and biking to an average of 22 minutes per day from the current average of 4 minutes per day would reduce carbon emissions by 14 percent and reduce health costs for cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 14 percent. These combined benefits offer a strong incentive for public investment." Public health professionals have every reason in the world to continue suggesting climate friendly transportation, and can highlight these health improvements with their patients as they do so. Find out who is leading on climate in the health movement and join us.
Climate-Smart Transit Means Walkers and Bikers Matter
Jad Daley I February 24, 2016
Last month as the National Capital Region was digging out from our latest Snowmageddon, I had an "aha" moment cycling to work on Northern Virginia's ice-crusted, snowy Mount Vernon Trail. While cars sped by unimpeded on the adjacent George Washington Parkway, dedicated bike commuters struggled to navigate the uncleared trail. With all of the public benefits provided by human-powered transit, why don't we work as hard to serve these users?
The DC area has one of the nation's highest rates of bicycle commuting, so this issue really hits home here. The Mount Vernon Trail is a key safe route for bike commuters, runners, and pedestrians moving between highly congested Northern Virginia and DC. Yet the trail is not cleared of snow as a matter of policy.
This is no way unique to the DC area. Leaving critical bike linkages covered in snow and ice until Mother Nature decides to intervene is the norm in many cities. Sidewalks are similarly subject to a patchwork of strategies to keep them clear of snow, which can force pedestrians into the street.
