Purpose-Based Walking Trips by Duration, Distance, and Select Characteristics, 2017 National Household Travel Survey

Relationship between neighborhood walkability and the prevalence, type, timing, and temporal characteristics of walking

We examined associations of neighborhood walkability with the prevalence, type, timing, and temporal characteristics of walking in a representative sample of United States adults. Adults (N = 2649) completed the ACT24 previous-day recall. Home address was linked to block-group National Walkability Index. Survey-adjusted Poisson and logistic regression examined the association of walkability with outcomes. Those who lived in more walkable neighborhoods were more likely to walk overall, for transport, or in the evening. In those who walked, higher walkability was associated with less morning but more evening walking. There were no associations of walkability with the frequency or duration of walking episodes.

The disparate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on walking and biking behaviors

This study sought to assess changes in active transportation behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to identifying the disparate impacts between sociodemographic groups. A survey was conducted in November 2020, which collected responses from 1,000 Michigan residents statewide regarding walking and biking behaviors before, during, and anticipated post-pandemic. The survey found that people who walked or biked frequently for recreation before the pandemic maintained or increased their activities during the pandemic. More importantly, the survey also revealed differing pandemic-related impacts on walking and biking behaviors between sociodemographic groups. Specifically, people from underprivileged sociodemographic groups, such as those who are older, have lower education or income level, or identify as a minority, were less active in general before the pandemic, and these walking and biking behavior gaps were exacerbated by the pandemic. Furthermore, the elevated negative impacts on these sociodemographic groups were anticipated to continue in the future.