Sneakers and Spokes An Assessment of the Walkability and Bikeability of U.S. Postsecondary Institutions

The purpose of the study described in this article was to assess the walkability and bikeability of 15 U.S. postsecondary education campuses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s evidence-based Healthier Worksite Initiative Walkability Audit was modified to rate campus walking and biking...

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Published inJournal of environmental health Vol. 74; no. 7; pp. 8 - 15
Main Authors Horacek, Tanya M., White, Adrienne A., Greene, Geoffrey W., Reznar, Melissa M., Quick, Virginia M., Morrell, Jesse S., Colby, Sarah M., Kattelmann, Kendra. K., Herrick, Minette S., Shelnutt, Karla P., Mathews, Anne, Phillips, Beatrice W., Byrd-Bredbenner, Carol
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States National Environmental Health Association 01.03.2012
Subjects
ADVANCEMENT OF THE SCIENCE
Bicycling
College campuses
College students
Control
Education
Environment Design
Environmental assessment
Exercise
Health aspects
Humans
Obesity
Pedestrian traffic
Risk factors
School campuses
Schools
United States
Universities
University administration
Vocational education
Walkability
Walking
United States
USA
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Summary:The purpose of the study described in this article was to assess the walkability and bikeability of 15 U.S. postsecondary education campuses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s evidence-based Healthier Worksite Initiative Walkability Audit was modified to rate campus walking and biking path segments for path safety, quality, and comfort. Universities (n= 13) assessed an average of 44 path segments, which earned a mean score of 72.71±10.77SD(possible range 0 to 100). Postsecondary technical schools (n= 2) assessed 20 path segments, which received an average score of 76.56±13.15. About 70% of path segments received a grade A or B, but almost 1 in 10 received a failing or poor support score for walking and biking. Nearly half or more campus environments scored significantly below an acceptable score on many path safety and quality criteria. Postsecondary education campuses that are supportive of walking and biking offer numerous benefits to the environment and people. Findings from environmental assessments like the data reported here can provide valuable input to campus planners.
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ISSN:0022-0892