As Biking And Walking Decreases, Obesity Soars

Among the many revelations of The Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, just released by the Alliance for Biking & Walking, is this: While bicycling and walking fell 66 percent between 1960 and 2009, obesity levels increased 156 percent. And this: In 2009, 40 percent of trips in the United States were shorter than 2 miles, yet 87 percent of these trips are by car. Twenty-seven percent of trips were shorter than 1 mile. Still, Americans use their cars for 62 percent of these trips. Read more of The Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, then get the bike out of the garage.