If you build it…
In recent months there has been a lot of discussion about the new bike lanes that have been installed in both Urbana and Champaign. Both cities have plans in place to install more infrastructure for bicycling and walking. Questions have been raised about why the cities would invest in bike lanes instead of focusing on streets for cars. A new report, “Bicycling and Walking in the United States 2010: Benchmarking Report“ shows that investing in walking and biking reduces traffic fatalities and chronic disease.
The report reveals that states with the lowest levels of walking and biking have, on average, the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Alternatively, states with the highest rates of walking and biking have, on average, the lowest rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Clearly, having access to infrastructure that provides for walking and/or biking impacts how much physical activity people get. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate activity per week and that by doing so you can reduce your risk of dying early from the leading causes of death, like heart disease and some cancers.
The report was prepared by the Alliance for Biking & Walking with input from an impressive list of experts on health and transportation. Jeff Miller, the President of the Alliance, says, “Creating safe streets for everyone will save lives and improve health and quality of life in communities.“ Miller further stated, “...our data show that increasing the investment in biking and walking could lead to more people biking and walking. The more people bike and walk, the safer it is and the healthier the community. It’s a virtuous cycle.“
In Champaign-Urbana many people are working hard to help create a healthier and more livable community that includes giving the people the ability to walk and bike to work, school, and shop. Many communities around the country have found that not only is a walkable and bikeable community healthier, it is good for the economy. Places like Madison, Wisc., have found that investing in bicycle lanes and paths that lead to shopping areas, such as their downtown, have seen revitalization as result of these investments. Other place such as Kane County, Ill., invested in the Fox River Trail that resulted in creating vibrant downtowns in places such as Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.
Investing in biking and walking is a “win-win” for communities. It not only offers health, safety, and economic benefits, but also reduces congestion on our streets. Why? Because as more people walk and bike it means fewer people are driving and that makes our streets less congested for everyone.
To see the full benchmark report you can go to: http://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/memberservices/C529
Most Recent Culture Comments
As an adoptee, I can empathize—although I’m not an international adoptee, and I apologize if I’m assuming too much on the nature of your adoption. You can feel what you feel, but don’t be too hard on yourself. When I started a search for my birth family,…
wait, I was commenting on the wrong thing - sorry - he’s actually a gigantic sellout but who really knows what all this is about.
If the democrats didn’t have Kucinich, and the republicans didn’t have Ron Paul, where would both these parties really stand? These men actually mean what they say.
Joel, thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions and have them posted here. I really appreciate it! Yes, I was thrilled to see that Rep. Kucinich flipped today, so he will has committed to voting yes for health reform. I appreciated his comments which seem…
Dan Schreiber’s chocolate is simply the best I’ve ever had. It’s a whole different ball-game; closer to very high-end wine than anything out of Hershey PA.
Vosges is pretty decent chocolate, but you should definitely try the locally-produced chocolate from Dan Schreiber, available (regularly?) at Amara, Caffe Paradiso, and Common Ground. I believe it is or will be at other places soon.
I read Kucinich flipped today. He must have read this and been convinced.
I really appreciated Ms. Lennhoff’s candid answers to the questions. I learned a lot about health care reform from this experience. Thanks CCHCC!
I found that cake thing about a year ago. It’s pretty amazing. Happily, it didn’t stick as a habit ‘cause I *still* made a mess with the flour and cocoa and all that ...
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Wow, great article. I wish you the best in your endeavors and hope you have a nice trip.
Um. Yeah — check out that “General Disclaimer” at the bottom of the article, folks.
As an adoptee, I can empathize—although I’m not an international adoptee, and I apologize if I’m assuming too much on the nature of your adoption. You can feel what you feel, but don’t be too hard on yourself. When I started a search for my birth family,…
I highly doubt a single dish is vegan at Bombay. Most Indian dishes use Ghee(essentially clarrified butter) as the base fat. While I guess they could make some dishes with canola oil, I would for sure ask the exact ingredients before I consumed if you are following a vegan diet.
You’re right! Every runner, in my opinion, is a real runner.
Congratulations on the AG place! In all of your accomplishments, don’t forget what it was like to think a mile was an impossible distance. Getting to the six-mile point takes a lot of training and preparation to acclimate the mind and musculature to so much pounding. Your…
Sounds like it!
I heading out on my 9 miler before my 10 hour work day right now. Do I have what it takes?
Nice, killer work pretty man…the channeled, one sided collaborated rhyming poem. An oft forgot genre. The ruckus was felt even here in my living room, which is normally a safe haven from ruckus.
wait, I was commenting on the wrong thing - sorry - he’s actually a gigantic sellout but who really knows what all this is about.
If the democrats didn’t have Kucinich, and the republicans didn’t have Ron Paul, where would both these parties really stand? These men actually mean what they say.
Joel, thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions and have them posted here. I really appreciate it! Yes, I was thrilled to see that Rep. Kucinich flipped today, so he will has committed to voting yes for health reform. I appreciated his comments which seem…
It appears to me that your reviewer did all that could be expected: she paid her money, saw the play and conveyed her impressions. The review (on the whole, laudatory) may have been rushed, in a generous attempt to publicize the production while it was still available…
Dan Schreiber’s chocolate is simply the best I’ve ever had. It’s a whole different ball-game; closer to very high-end wine than anything out of Hershey PA.
That settles it… Im going.
Vosges is pretty decent chocolate, but you should definitely try the locally-produced chocolate from Dan Schreiber, available (regularly?) at Amara, Caffe Paradiso, and Common Ground. I believe it is or will be at other places soon.
I read Kucinich flipped today. He must have read this and been convinced.
Bread Company can do some fantastic vegan dinner dishes! Several of their pastas are vegan or could be made vegan and their pizzas can be ordered (and taste great) without the cheese. I also recommend their roasted potatoes and their roasted garlic head appetizer.
General Admission? Are we supposed to camp out the night before the game to get decent seats?
I wonder with Griffey if he’s not in game shape enough to play a significant number of minutes. If you look at his minutes played this year, he’s never played a starters minutes.
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Wow, great article. I wish you the best in your endeavors and hope you have a nice trip.