Study: Walking and Cycling Rates Haven't Changed Much Since 2001

New analysis of National Household Travel Survey data shows that the United States has a long way to go to overcome the dominance of the automobile for daily travel.

1 minute read

January 7, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Street

Getting more Americans to walk and bike is like swimming against the stream. | Corn Fed Chicks / Wikimedia Commons

A new study published by the Journal of Transport & Health documents changes in walking and cycling for daily travel among U.S. residents between 2001 and 2017. The study, published in the March 2020 volume of the journal, uses National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) data to examine the extent to which rates of walking and cycling have changed along demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic lines.

According to the abstract and highlights from the study, the findings of the analysis include the finding that slightly more Americans are walking every day and cycling stayed steady. "There was substantial demographic, socioeconomic, and spatial variation for each year and over time," according to the post.

The lack of progress in substantially changing the numbers of walkers and bikers, however, inspires the author of the study to call on government officials to invest more in bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Monday, January 6, 2020 in Journal of Transport & Health via ScienceDirect

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic