This indicator measures the total length of both on-street bike lanes and paved trails in each 2020 census tract divided by the total population. Bike lanes is a proxy HPI measure for active commuting.

Everybody should have safe, accessible, and convenient transportation options to get to work and other destinations. Active commuting by foot, bike, and transit creates opportunities for physical activity, provides transportation options for those without a car, encourages social cohesion, and reduces contributions to climate change and air pollution. Having adequate and accessible active transportation options, including bike lanes, has been linked to improved physical and mental health, physical activity, employment outcomes, medical care, and resiliency during disasters. For households and individuals without access to a car, including many low-income individuals and people of color, active transportation options and public transportation can be critical links to jobs and other health supportive destinations that provide essential goods and services. Using bike lanes and other active commuting modes can also be cheaper alternatives to driving and help people save on costs of owning and operating a car.

Walking, bicycling and using public transportation allows people to get regular exercise. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, and most people can reach that goal simply by walking or biking to work or other destinations, while also building physical activity into their daily lives. This can add up: nearly a third of public transportation users are physically active for 30 minutes or more each day just from walking to and from their pickup location.⁶¹ Studies have shown that people who use public transportation for any reason were less likely to be sedentary or obese, taking 30% more steps and walking 8.3 more minutes per day than people who mostly drove everywhere.⁶² Studies also demonstrate that bike lane accessibility is strongly associoated with physical activity among children and adolescents and can be a protective factor against childhood obesity by encouraging active lifestyles.⁶³ Walking to and from public transportation can also save people money on healthcare costs. One study estimated lifetime savings of $5,550 per person.⁶⁶ Improving the safety and infrastructure of bike lanes and protective pathways can reduce the occurrence of pedestrian and commuter related injuries and fatalities.⁶⁷

However, many Utah cities have developed infrastructure that favors individual car use and offers limited alternatives. People are also more likely to feel unsafe or endangered when riding a bike or commuting without the protection of bike lanes and protected paths. These limitations can make it difficult for those who walk, bike, and take public transportation to get around, especially in rural areas where destinations are further apart. Lack of adequate transportation options can negatively impact one’s health, particularly for those without access to a car. Where transit service is scarce, when routes are cut back, and when sidewalks and bicycle facilities are lacking, people have less access to goods and services, employment, and other opportunities. Low-income individuals and people of color, who use active and public transportation options the most, are greatly impacted by lack of access.⁶⁴ During extreme heat events and other climate-related events, having available transportation options can greatly impact the health outcomes of these communities. In some cases, transportation is required for survival and sufficient access to the transit system during these events is essential.

Improving transportation options for active commuters and increasing the accessibility and availability of bike lanes and paths requires a range of strategies, including planning, investment, and community engagement. There are differences in the strategies needed in urban and rural areas, but overall the goal is to provide access to opportunities that improve health outcomes and support healthy community conditions (i.e. access to quality jobs, good schools, grocery stores and farmers’ markets, clinical care, etc). Transportation strategies can also ensure resilience⁶⁵ in climate-related events by providing access to cooling centers, emergency support services, and organized evacuations.

Local governments should Support Walking & Bicycling by investing in new infrastructure (sidewalks, bicycle facilities and amenities that make it safer and more convenient to walk and bike), supporting education and encouragement programs in schools and the community, and passing policies like Vision Zero and Complete Streets that set long-term goals for increasing walking and bicycling while also improving safety. They should also work with transit agencies to Improve Transit Service, both by expanding frequency and routes available, while also ensuring the existing system is maintained. Local governments should also explore different Free or Discounted Passes for Transit to lower the cost and incentivize greater use of these services. Since most people without a car rely on public transportation, communities should also improve first and last mile connections for those walking and bicycling to route stops. Special Consideration for Rural Areas is needed, and local governments should consider partnering with ride-sharing or car-sharing companies, encouraging carpooling, and identifying creative and innovative mobility options to get more people where they need to go.

Local governments should also think about Smart Growth and how building and preserving affordable housing near transit and other mobility networks can facilitate greater rates of walking, bicycling and transit use, while also providing greater access to safety, health supportive destinations, and opportunity. They should also design transportation facilities in ways that reduce the urban heat-island effect and keep people cool while waiting. In planning future investments, local governments should foster Community Engagement and Connection, which can empower local residents to inform transportation decisions and improve accessibility. Finally, local governments should Guarantee Transportation Lifelines during emergencies and climate related events for people who walk, bike and take public transportation, and otherwise do not have readily access to a car.

Improving transportation options for active commuters can come with a high immediate price tag, especially related to infrastructure investments. There are a number of funding sources and technical assistance programs that can support local government efforts to build more resilient infrastructure and ensure everyone has adequate transportation options. Move Utah is the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) active transportation program.  The Utah Transportation Commission, in consultation with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the state’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), developed a written prioritization process to guide the decision-making process for programming. Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) and Transit Transportation Investment Fund (TTIF) monies for transportation capacity projects. Some local governments and transit agencies have their own sources of walking and bicycling funding as well. For more information, see: Local Government Program Assistance, TTIF Transit,TIF Active Transportation, TTIF First/Last Mile, and TAP-UDOT.  Like with active transportation, many local governments and transit agencies have their own funding programs, including local sales taxes dedicated to transit service.