Healthy Local Transportation Policy

1. Healthy Local Transportation Policy Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager Presentation to Obesity Prevention Summit December 6, 2012

2. Non-profit organization serving 14,000 members & the Puget Sound bicycling community Mission: to Create a Better Community Through Bicycling Advocacy, Policy & Planning, Education, Events & Rides Cascade Bicycle Club

3. Examples Factors that Affect Health Smallest Impact Eat healthy, be physically active Counseling & Education Rx for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes Clinical Interventions Immunizations, brief intervention, cessation treatment, colonoscopy Long-lasting Protective Interventions Fluoridation, 0g trans fat, iodization, smoke-free laws, tobacco tax Changing the Context to make individuals’ default decisions healthy Largest Impact Poverty, education, housing, inequality Socioeconomic Factors *And Racism

4. The problem • A sedentary lifestyle leads to health problems ranging from obesity to cancer.

5. The problem • We’ve engineered daily physical activity out of our people’s lives by not providing safe places for people to walk and bike.

6. Snohomish County: The problem • <1% of Snohomish County residents ride bikes to work. • More than 27% of Snohomish County residents are obese.

7. Snohomish CountyThe problem • Lack of advocacy for bicycling has meant a lack of safe, connected routes. • Kids who come through Basics of Bicycling can’t ride to school or in their neighborhoods. Existing Complete Streets Policies

8. The case for bicycling • A connected network of bicycling routes leads to: • Healthier people • Stronger communities • Safer streets • Better air and water quality • Reduced congestion

9. The case for bicycling 2012 study from Portland, Ore:

10. Bike Commute Mode Split 0 - 2% 2 - 3% 3 - 5% 5 - 8% 8 - 10% 10+% Portland, Oregon 1990Bike lanes encourage bike commuting Black lines show 1990 bikeway network... …colors show 1990 mode splits (by census tract) City of Portland Dept. of Transportation

11. Bike Commute Mode Split 0 - 2% 2 - 3% 3 - 5% 5 - 8% 8 - 10% 10+% Portland, Oregon 2000Bike lanes encourage bike commuting Black lines show 2000 bikeway network... …colors show 2000 mode splits (by census tract) City of Portland Dept. of Transportation

13. Changing the Context • Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… • Transportation planners and policy makers • Businesses • Grassroots advocates • 3,000 middle school students

14. Plans and Policiesbikeability assessments

15. Plans and Policiesbicycle policy and planning workshops

16. Plans and Policiestechnical guides

17. Changing the Context • Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… • Transportation planners and policy makers • Businesses • Grassroots advocates • 3,000 middle school students

20. Changing the Context • Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… • Transportation planners and policy makers • Businesses • Grassroots advocates • 3,000 middle school students

21. Advocates Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute

23. Changing the Context • Goal: Improve health by making it easier and safer for people to ride bikes through outreach to… • Transportation planners and policy makers • Businesses • Grassroots advocates • 3,000 middle school students

24. The Next GenerationAdvanced Basics of Bicycling

25. Precedent

26. The Outcomes • People in south Snohomish County will ride bikes more often as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.

27. Questions? Craig M. Benjamin Policy and Government Affairs Manager craig.benjamin@cascadebicycleclub.org