It's a new national effort to promote walking and bicycling as safe, efficient, and healthy ways to travel. This Initiative joins American citizens, government agencies, and private sector organizations to foster the development of a more balanced national transportation system
By the Year 2000, the Initiative will:
- reduce by 10% the number of injuries and fatalities occurring to bicyclists and pedestrians, and
- double the national percentage (from 7.9% to 15.8%) of transportation trips made by bicycling and walking.
Three Main Components
- Increased Awareness
- "Toolbox" for States and Communities
- "Partnership for a Walkable America: Enhancing Health, Access, and Safety"
1. Awareness
Nationwide, 15% of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians or bicyclists, and in large cities they account for nearly half of all traffic fatalities. This Initiative will raise awareness of the safety problem and advantages of walking and bicycling through special events, training, and programs.
2. Toolbox
The Initiative will supply a "toolbox" of the best available "tools"
to help communities achieve their specific goals. Communities will choose what tools they
need.
Tools will be organized by target groups and contain information about existing enforcement, engineering, and education programs, plus outreach and technical assistance programs.
3. Partnership For A Walkable America: Enhancing Health,
Access, and Safety
The Secretarial Initiative has joined with national organizations, agencies, businesses
and individuals to form a public/private partnership dedicated to making America more
walkable. This independent alliance will focus on strategies to increase safety and access
for walking and to promote the health benefits of increased walking.
Publication No. FHWA-SA-96-058
April 1996
U.S. Department of Transportation