2005 Top 10 Best U.S. Walking Cities

Fri Apr 1 09:31:55 CST 2005

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FEATURE ARTICLE

2005 Top 10 Best U.S. Walking Cities News Release
An American Podiatric Medical Association Study Reveals
Top Ten Walker-Friendly Cities

Walking is one of the nation's favorite ways to exercise. A study
conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) shows
now more than ever, people living in cities are stepping up their
walking regimes. That's good news since, on average, every minute of
walking can extend your life by about two minutes. For the third year
in a row, the APMA has conducted a walking study as part of its Best
Walking City Competition. This year's competition surveyed 200 of the
largest US incorporated cities based on three walking conducive
categories: healthy lifestyles, modes of transportation to and from
work and involvement in fitness and sport activities.
"Walking is one of the best exercises for your feet," says APMA
President Dr. Lloyd Smith. "The Best Walking City Competition
encourages Americans living in cities to get out and walk in an
effort to keep their feet and bodies fit."
Here are the top ten 2005 Best Walking Cities:
1. Arlington, VA: On the cusp of the nation's capital, it may come as
no surprise that 23 percent of the city's workers use public
transportation to get around. Keeping on their feet may be a way of
life, since 35 percent of Arlingtonians walk for exercise.
2. San Francisco, CA: Getting to work by foot is not uncommon for
this city by the bay with 9 percent of residents walking and 2
percent biking. The walking-conducive city touts 32 percent of its
residents walk for exercise and 35 percent buy some type of athletic
shoes.
3. Seattle, WA: It's not too far-fetched to expect a healthy
lifestyle from residents living in Seattle. A whopping 35 percent
walk for exercise and 36 percent buy some type of athletic shoes.
4. Portland, OR: Residents of this Northwestern city spend a good
deal of time on their feet walking their dogs. Close to 22 percent
are dog owners.
5. Boston, MA: For many Bostonians, walking to work or using public
transportation is a way of life with 45 percent of the population
doing one or the other.
6. Washington, DC: Getting around the nation's capital by subway or
bus is preferred by 35 percent of the District's residents. And when
they are not working, 11 percent are playing sports or walking for
fitness.
7. New York City, NY: Getting around the Big Apple is easy for New
Yorkers with 51 percent of residents using public transportation and
12 percent walking to work.
8. Eugene, OR: Walking is a way of life for 32 percent of residents
living in this Oregon city. Whether it's walking the dog or pushing a
stroller, 22 percent are dog owners and 8 percent own baby strollers.
9. Jersey City, NJ: Public transportation or walking is how 47
percent of the people who work in this gritty town get around. And
when they are not working, 12 percent of the residents play sports or
exercise once a week.
10. Denver, CO: This versatile city lends itself to those in search
of an active lifestyle. Eleven percent of residents walk for fitness
or exercise and 12 percent play sports or exercise once a week.

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Other news and events -

THE CHALLENGES OF SUCCESS: The Next Generation of Smart Growth
Chris Zimmerman, Vice Chairman, Arlington County (VA) Board
Monday, April 4

As a member and leader of the Arlington County Board since 1996, Chris
Zimmerman has shepherded the County through a time of unprecedented
growth and prosperity, a result of over three decades of County
commitment to smart growth. As the "Urban Village" has matured, it
faces new and ongoing challenges to create vibrant places, house its
workers, and complete the streets. Mr. Zimmerman will describe
Arlington's successes and challenges in this update on the County that
created the winner of the 2002 National Award for Smart Growth
Achievement for Overall Excellence in Smart Growth.

TIME: Monday, April 4, 2005; 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
LOCATION: The National Building Museum, 401 F Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.  (Judiciary Square Metro)
The Smart Growth Speaker Series is free. No registration required.

Previous speaker series lectures can be heard at:
http://www.smartgrowth.org/audio/default.asp

The Smart Growth Speaker Series is sponsored by the U.S. EPA, ICMA,
the
National Building Museum and the Smart Growth Network. Smart growth is
development that serves economy, community, and environment. The
series
hosts speakers on monthly basis to discuss this approach to
development,
explore specific growth-related issues, foster dialog, and identify
opportunities for positive change in growth and development patterns.

To get regular announcements about the Smart Growth Speaker Series,
please e-mail you name, organization, address, phone, fax, and e-mail
address to the U.S. EPA's Development, Community, and Environment
Division (DCED) c/o Deloris Wingo-Huntley, e-mail:
wingo-huntley.deloris at epa.gov.

METRO BOARD TOWN HALL MEETING,  Tuesday, April 12th

The Metro Board has scheduled a Town Hall
meeting on Tuesday, April 12th, 6 - 9pm at George
Mason High School. WMATA Board members are
looking for feedback from system users to improve
service delivery. For further information, call 202-
962-1000.

NEWS ITEM

VDOT COMPLETES IDEA-66 STUDY;
30 Day Public Comment Period begins April 1

The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway
Administration have completed a feasibility study on how to best ease
congestion within the existing right of way on I-66 westbound from
the Rosslyn Tunnel to the Dulles Airport Access Road. The final
feasibility study will be posted on the study Web site,
www.idea66.com, on April 1 and public comment will be accepted
through May 1, 2005.

The Idea-66 feasibility study recommends:

. Advancing to a multi-modal environmental study that would include
adding a third lane reserved for high occupancy vehicles (HOV), high
occupancy tolls (HOT) and/or an express bus lane. Adding a third lane
within the existing right of way would reduce congestion on I-66 and
parallel roadways as well as improve evacuation capability. The cost
would range from $112 to $233 million.

. Evaluating a series of interim improvements that could be done with
minimal impact to address spot problems and improve roadway safety.
These range in cost from $2 million for improved signage to $45
million for a continuous shoulder.

. Continuing community involvement to bridge the gap between the
current Idea-66 study and a possible environmental study. The Idea-66
Feasibility study began last summer in response to congressional and
state concerns about growing congestion in the corridor and ease of
evacuation during emergencies.

Beginning April 1, the completed Idea-66 Study will be available at
www.idea66.com.

For more information, call the toll free info line at 1 866 816-4466.