Integrating Access: Walking and Rolling in

Bike Advocacy
Alliance for Biking & Walking Mutual Aid Call
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
1
Building a better world for active transportation doesnt just mean making bicycling safe and comfortable - it
also means making our neighborhoods better for walking and for getting around with mobility assistance
devices. Tis Mutual Aid Call was a facilitated discussion to learn how advocates can use their platforms and
organizational strengths to incorporate walking and accessibility advocacy into their work.
Organizational Benefts of Including Walking/ Walkability
Potential strategic alignment:
It is currently anticipated that in Summer 2014, the U.S. Surgeon General will
release its call to action on walking and walkability. A call to action is a science-
based report released by the Surgeon General to direct nationwide eforts to solve a
major public health problem.
A call to action on walking and walkability will address the public health problem
of physical inactivity and note that walking as an easy and efective way to get
Americans moving and to achieve proper physical activity levels. Te call to action
will also identify how all partners - including but not limited to, diferent levels
of government, nonproft organizations, educational institutions, the health care
industry, and work places - can provide safe and accessible locations for Americans
to walk and/or roll.
While future potential sources of funding for walking are unknown at this time,
walking and walkability is strategically well-positioned with to receive more
attention in the near future.
Potential new partners gained by including walking:
AARP and Complete Streets: Recognizing that Americans are getting older, AARP
understands the connection between the built environment, health, safety, and the
need for transportation options for all Americans, especially for older adults. AARP
has developed the following resources, which may be helpful as you build and
solidify a relationship with your local AARP ofce.
Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America report (2009)
Te Road Ahead: Implementing Complete Streets Policies case studies
(2013)
Complete Streets in the Southeast: A Tool Kit (2014)
Realtor associations, economic development groups, local chambers of commerce
Mayors Commissions for Persons with Disabilities, Easter Seals, Goodwill
Running groups and athletes (register for our upcoming Mutual Aid Call on
July 9, 2014 on Engaging Athletes in Advocacy)
Integrating Access: Walking and Rolling in
Bike Advocacy
Alliance for Biking & Walking Mutual Aid Call
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
2
Communicating the Economic Benefts of Walking/ Walkability
Alliance for Biking & Walking - Highlighted studies about walking from the 2014
Benchmarking Report
Impact from Increased Sales (pg. 98):
New York City, NY: Businesses located within an improvement area saw sales
increase at higher levels than the surrounding area (up to 172% increase in
retail sales at locally-based businesses) afer a pedestrian plaza was constructed.
Commercial vacancies fell 49% in one district afer a protected bicycle lane was
installed (NYCDOT, 2012).
San Francisco, CA: Pedestrians reported spending more money over the course
of a week than users of any other transportation mode (SFMTA, 2013).
Impact on Property Values and Stability (pg. 99):
Washington, DC: Places with higher walkability perform better commercially
and have higher housing values. Ofce and retail spaces in areas with good
walkability rented for $8.88/sq. f. and $6.92/sq. f. more per year, respectively,
compared to places with fair walkability, holding household income levels
constant. Additionally, relative to places with fair walkability, places with good
walkability scores, on average, bring in $301.76 more per month in residential
rents and $81.54/sq. f. more in for-sale residential property values (Brookings
Institute, 2012).
Lodi, CA: A $4.5 million public-private, pedestrian-oriented project helped
encourage residents to shop locally in their own neighborhoods. Te city
credits the retroft of fve street blocks with widened sidewalks, bulbed-out
intersections, and other improvements for a large economic turnaround.
Vacancy rates dropped from 18% to 6%. Afer construction was completed,
the city experienced a 30% increase in downtown sales tax revenue (Local
Government Commission, 2000).
Impacts from Events and Tourism (pg. 101):
Hawaii: More than $1.7 million was raised for local charities during the 2013
Charity Walk (Charity Walk, 2014).
America Walks - Benefts of a Walkable Community
America Walks has compiled a list of additional studies and their key fndings of
how a walkable community is good for economic development and health. Te
fndings are presented in short, comprehensive sentences which may be helpful for
communicating with stakeholders who are unsure of why walking matters.
Integrating Access: Walking and Rolling in
Bike Advocacy
Alliance for Biking & Walking Mutual Aid Call
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
3
Sample Mission/ Vision/ Goal Statements that Include Walking
Charleston Moves Focus on multi-modal, connections
Our Mission: Charleston Moves encourages mobility by bicycle and on foot
for the improved health and well-being of greater Charleston our people,
neighborhoods, business districts and overall economic competitiveness.
How we move: We believe a bike-friendly region is a healthy, active, fun place to
live, work and visit. We are about creating community connection and making it
easier for people who chose to bike or walk, or who have no choice but to, to do so
safely. Charleston Moves preaches the bike-friendly gospel around the Lowcountry.
BikeWalkLee Focus on Complete Streets
Mission: BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and
advocating for complete streets in Lee County--streets that are designed, built,
operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians,
bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Vision: Lee County is a complete streets model community whose integrated
and safe cycling and walking network inspires people of all ages, income groups,
and ftness levels to cycle and walk for transportation and recreation. Public
transportation is available and accessible to citizens and visitors in Lee County.
Our active transportation focus contributes to the economic health of the
community, the physical health of its residents, the environmental health of the
region, and the quality of life for individuals and families in our community
Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation Focus on biking & walking
Mission: Te mission of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation is to
provide an advocacy platform to protect the rights and interests of bicyclists and
pedestrians and to make Missouri a better place to walk and ride a bicycle through
the advancement of bicycle access, safety and education.