March 29, 2013

To: Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

Pennsylvanias transportation funding debate is an opportunity to improve public health and curb rising rates of
obesity in the Commonwealth. Healthy lifestyles that include adequate physical activity are ultimately a matter
of personal responsibility. However, a built environment that affords safe and convenient walking and biking
opportunities encourages individuals to be more physically active as part of their daily routines.

As part of a comprehensive plan to adequately fund ALL modes of transportation, we urge you to make
active modes of transportation more central to the Governors proposed multi-modal fund by ensuring
that a substantial portion of this fund is dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects. Additionally, we
encourage you to equip PennDOT with a dedicated Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator to plan
and implement such projects through the relevant Department of Transportation offices and bureaus; i.e.
multi-modal, highway and design.

Our Nation is in the grips of a full-blown obesity epidemic. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 28.6 percent of adults in Pennsylvania are considered obese. At the
current trajectory, 56.7 percent of Pennsylvania adults will be obese by 2030. Even more alarming is that child
obesity rates have more than tripled in the last 30 years. Pennsylvania recently became the 40
th
state in which
more than 40 percent of its young adults are considered overweight or obese.

The negative consequences of this obesity epidemic are widespread and growing:

USDA Economic Research Service - Environment Food
AtIas
Number of Recreation & Fitness facilities, 2008
0 3 - 7
1 - 2 8 - 723
FACTS
Creating Spaces
Changing the Built Environment to Promote Active Living
OVERVIEW
The U.S. is in the grips of a full-blown obesity
epidemic. The prevalence of those who are
obese has risen to 34%.
1
n 2009, adult obesity
rates grew in 28 states, and in more than two-
thirds of states, obesity rates exceed 25 percent
of all adults.
2
n light of these dire statistics, it is
imperative to find ways to increase physical
activity opportunities and recreational spaces
where people live, work, learn and play. Nearly
50% of U.S. adults and 65% of adolescents do
not currently get the recommended amount of
physical activity each day.
3,4
And only 5%
report any kind of vigorous activity.
5
To compound the problem, traditional
transportation and community planning often
overlooks the effect on health and as a result,
we rely too much on cars. Our communities are
frequently "recreational deserts without green
spaces or connected walking and biking routes.
ntegrating health objectives within
transportation and community planning would
create more active communities, more
balanced transportation systems and a cost-
effective opportunity to improve public health.
6
t
is time to make our communities optimal for
healthy living.
HEALTH IMPACT
Several studies have found that the way
communities are designed and developed can have
an effect on ready access to healthy foods and
physical activity opportunities. There is even a
correlation with higher rates of obesity. Safe
sidewalks, green spaces, parks, public
transportation, and ready access to fruits and
vegetables lower the risk for developing diabetes
and other chronic disease as compared with those
communities that do not have these resources.
7

We must make opportunities for physical activity
more accessible. People who are sitting throughout
their day have roughly twice the risk of having heart
attacks, heart surgeries, strokes, or other
cardiovascular events compared to those who are
more active.
8
Cities and communities across the United States are
exploring ways to become vibrant and attractive
places to live. One option is to convert vacant lots or
brown fields to spur economic development.
Community gardens, small parks, and open green
spaces are excellent options for these areas.
Studies have shown that community gardens have a
positive impact on surrounding residential
properties, by increasing rates of home ownership
and spurring economic redevelopment.
9

Other studies have found that building
bike/pedestrian trails reduces health care costs
associated with physical inactivity. For every dollar
invested in building these trails, nearly $3 in medical
cost savings may be achieved.
10
Additionally,
linking different parts of the community with trails
and walkways opens up the opportunity for
community integration, more efficient land use, lower
traffic congestion, and better quality of life.
Research has shown that people who have
parks or recreational facilities nearby and live in
communities with well-connected streets
exercise much more than those who do not have
easy access.
11, 12
American Heart Association x Advocacy Department x 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW x Suite 300 x Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 785-7900 x Fax: (202) 785-7950 x www.heart.org/advocacy
Amerlcan Heart Assoclatlon 1en Lbersole Pennsylvanla Government Pelatlons Dlrector l0l9 Mumma Poad wormleysburg, PA l7043
Phone: (7l7) 730-l766 Pax: (7l7) 975-9670 1en.LbersoleQheart.org www.heart.org/advocacy

Lven Lhough blcycllng and walklng make up 12 of Lrlps ln ennsylvanla, and blcycllsLs and pedesLrlans make up 11 of
Lhe faLallLles sLaLewlde, ennsylvanla only spends 1.3 of lLs LransporLaLlon budgeL on blklng and walklng pro[ecLs and
LhaL 1.3 ls derlved fully from federal funds. ennuC1 does noL devoLe any sLaLe funds speclflcally Lo blcycllng and
walklng pro[ecLs.
More and more communlLles ln ennsylvanla wanL Lo lnclude blcycle and pedesLrlan faclllLles on Lhelr roads, buL Lhe
CommonwealLh lacks Lhe fundlng Lo supporL plannlng, lnsLallaLlon and malnLenance of blke lanes, wlder shoulders, road
marklngs, blcycle rouLe slgnage and sldewalks. 8lklng and walklng are lmporLanL modes of LransporLaLlon LhaL deserve
supporL and accommodaLlon as parL of Wcomprehenslve LransporLaLlon sysLem.
1here are Lhree lmporLanL opporLunlLles for ennsylvanla Lo supporL communlLles LhaL wanL Lo make blcycllng and
walklng safer. llrsL, creaLe a blcycllng and walklng offlce or secLlon wlLhln ennuC1. Second, make blklng and walklng a
subsLanLlve componenL of Lhe mulLl-modal fund. 1hlrd, ellmlnaLe pollcles LhaL are an obsLacle Lo Lhe placemenL of
blcycle faclllLles on sLaLe roads.
1. Create a 8|cyc|e edestr|an Cff|ce w|th|n ennDC1. WlLhln ennuC1, Lhere ls no secLlon, offlce or dlvlslon devoLed Lo
blklng and walklng. ennuC1 does noL devoLe a full Llme blcycle-pedesLrlan coordlnaLor (ln one person) Lo overseelng Lhe
blklng and walklng programs and pollcles. WlLhouL an experL on blWKd
Leam, Lhese modes are easlly neglecLed. Whlle some ulsLrlcL ennuC1 offlces have employees deslgnaLed as
blcycle/pedesLrlan coordlnaLors, Lhelr [ob ls Lo revlew pro[ecL proposals Lo deLermlne lf Lhey meeL Lhe mlnlmum
requlremenLs for accommodaLlng blklng and walklng. 1hey offer llLLle coordlnaLlon and do noL subsLanLlvely lnLeracL
wlLh munlclpallLles or counLles Lo help Lhem lmprove or plan for blcycllng and walklng ln Lhelr communlLles.

2. Lnsure LhaL Lhe new mu|t|-moda| fund allocaLes sufflclenL funds Lo blcycle and walklng pro[ecLs. rovldlng an
opporLunlLy for munlclpallLles and counLles Lo apply for plannlng, deslgn and consLrucLlon funds for blklng and walklng
pro[ecLs would provlde concenLraLed resources Lowards LransporLaLlon modes LhaL have long suffered from
underfundlng.

3. L||m|nate the 8|cyc|e Cccupancy erm|t. CurrenLly, sLaLe law requlres local auLhorlLles Lo obLaln approval from ennuC1
ln order for a blcycle marklng or slgn Lo be lnsLalled on a sLaLe road. ConsequenLly, ennuC1 requlres local auLhorlLles Lo
assume all malnLenance and llablllLy responslblllLy for blcycle marklngs and slgns and obLaln a 8lcycle Cccupancy ermlL
(8C) lf a blcycle faclllLy ls added Lo a sLaLe road wlLhln Lhe munlclpallLy. 1he 8C ls noL requlred ln hlladelphla or
lLLsburgh, and beLween Lhem, Lhey have over 400 mlles of blke lanes. ln Lhe resL of Lhe sLaLe, where Lhe 8C ls requlred,
less Lhan 30 exlsL. 8lcycle marklngs and slgns should noL Lrlgger ennuC1 approval and local auLhorlLles should noL be
requlred Lo obLaln a 8C from ennuC1 ln order Lo have blcycle marklngs or slgns lnsLalled on sLaLe roads wlLhln Lhelr
[urlsdlcLlons.

Lven Lhough blcycllng and walklng make up 12 of Lrlps ln ennsylvanla, and blcycllsLs and pedesLrlans make up 11 of
Lhe faLallLles sLaLewlde, ennsylvanla only spends 1.3 of lLs LransporLaLlon budgeL on blklng and walklng pro[ecLs and
LhaL 1.3 ls derlved fully from federal funds. ennuC1 does noL devoLe any sLaLe funds speclflcally Lo blcycllng and
walklng pro[ecLs.
More and more communlLles ln ennsylvanla wanL Lo lnclude blcycle and pedesLrlan faclllLles on Lhelr roads, buL Lhe
CommonwealLh lacks Lhe fundlng Lo supporL plannlng, lnsLallaLlon and malnLenance of blke lanes, wlder shoulders, road
marklngs, blcycle rouLe slgnage and sldewalks. 8lklng and walklng are lmporLanL modes of LransporLaLlon LhaL deserve
supporL and accommodaLlon as parL of Wcomprehenslve LransporLaLlon sysLem.
1here are Lhree lmporLanL opporLunlLles for ennsylvanla Lo supporL communlLles LhaL wanL Lo make blcycllng and
walklng safer. llrsL, creaLe a blcycllng and walklng offlce or secLlon wlLhln ennuC1. Second, make blklng and walklng a
subsLanLlve componenL of Lhe mulLl-modal fund. 1hlrd, ellmlnaLe pollcles LhaL are an obsLacle Lo Lhe placemenL of
blcycle faclllLles on sLaLe roads.
1. Create a 8|cyc|e edestr|an Cff|ce w|th|n ennDC1. WlLhln ennuC1, Lhere ls no secLlon, offlce or dlvlslon devoLed Lo
blklng and walklng. ennuC1 does noL devoLe a full Llme blcycle-pedesLrlan coordlnaLor (ln one person) Lo overseelng Lhe
blklng and walklng programs and pollcles. WlLhouL an exWKd
Leam, Lhese modes are easlly neglecLed. Whlle some ulsLrlcL ennuC1 offlces have employees deslgnaLed as
blcycle/pedesLrlan coordlnaLors, Lhelr [ob ls Lo revlew pro[ecL proposals Lo deLermlne lf Lhey meeL Lhe mlnlmum
requlremenLs for accommodaLlng blklng and walklng. 1hey offer llLLle coordlnaLlon and do noL subsLanLlvely lnLeracL
wlLh munlclpallLles or counLles Lo help Lhem lmprove or plan for blcycllng and walklng ln Lhelr communlLles.

2. Lnsure LhaL Lhe new mu|t|-moda| fund allocaLes sufflclenL funds Lo blcycle and walklng pro[ecLs. rovldlng an
opporLunlLy for munlclpallLles and counLles Lo apply for plannlng, deslgn and consLrucLlon funds for blklng and walklng
pro[ecLs would provlde concenLraLed resources Lowards LransporLaLlon modes LhaL have long suffered from
underfundlng.

3. L||m|nate the 8|cyc|e Cccupancy erm|t. CurrenLly, sLaLe law requlres local auLhorlLles Lo obLaln approval from ennuC1
ln order for a blcycle marklng or slgn Lo be lnsLalled on a sLaLe road. ConsequenLly, ennuC1 requlres local auLhorlLles Lo
assume all malnLenance and llablllLy responslblllLy for blcycle marklngs and slgns and obLaln a 8lcycle Cccupancy ermlL
(8C) lf a blcycle faclllLy ls added Lo a sLaLe road wlLhln Lhe munlclpallLy. 1he 8C ls noL requlred ln hlladelphla or
lLLsburgh, and beLween Lhem, Lhey have over 400 mlles of blke lanes. ln Lhe resL of Lhe sLaLe, where Lhe 8C ls requlred,
less Lhan 30 exlsL. 8lcycle marklngs and slgns should noL Lrlgger ennuC1 approval and local auLhorlLles should noL be
requlred Lo obLaln a 8C from ennuC1 ln order Lo have blcycle marklngs or slgns lnsLalled on sLaLe roads wlLhln Lhelr
[urlsdlcLlons.

Lven Lhough blcycllng and walklng make up 12 of Lrlps ln ennsylvanla, and blcycllsLs and pedesLrlans make up 11 of
Lhe faLallLles sLaLewlde, ennsylvanla only spends 1.3 of lLs LransporLaLlon budgeL on blklng and walklng pro[ecLs and
LhaL 1.3 ls derlved fully from federal funds. ennuC1 does noL devoLe any sLaLe funds speclflcally Lo blcycllng and
walklng pro[ecLs.
More and more communlLles ln ennsylvanla wanL Lo lnclude blcycle and pedesLrlan faclllLles on Lhelr roads, buL Lhe
CommonwealLh lacks Lhe fundlng Lo supporL plannlng, lnsLallaLlon and malnLenance of blke lanes, wlder shoulders, road
marklngs, blcycle rouLe slgnage and sldewalks. 8lklng and walklng are lmporLanL modes of LransporLaLlon LhaL deserve
supporL and accommodaLlon as parL of Wcomprehenslve LransporLaLlon sysLem.
1here are Lhree lmporLanL opporLunlLles for ennsylvanla Lo supporL communlLles LhaL wanL Lo make blcycllng and
walklng safer. llrsL, creaLe a blcycllng and walklng offlce or secLlon wlLhln ennuC1. Second, make blklng and walklng a
subsLanLlve componenL of Lhe mulLl-modal fund. 1hlrd, ellmlnaLe pollcles LhaL are an obsLacle Lo Lhe placemenL of
blcycle faclllLles on sLaLe roads.
1. Create a 8|cyc|e edestr|an Cff|ce w|th|n ennDC1. WlLhln ennuC1, Lhere ls no secLlon, offlce or dlvlslon devoLed Lo
blklng and walklng. ennuC1 does noL devoLe a full Llme blcycle-pedesLrlan coordlnaLor (ln one person) Lo overseelng Lhe
blklng and walklng programs and pollcles. WlLhouL an exWKd
Leam, Lhese modes are easlly neglecLed. Whlle some ulsLrlcL ennuC1 offlces have employees deslgnaLed as
blcycle/pedesLrlan coordlnaLors, Lhelr [ob ls Lo revlew pro[ecL proposals Lo deLermlne lf Lhey meeL Lhe mlnlmum
requlremenLs for accommodaLlng blklng and walklng. 1hey offer llLLle coordlnaLlon and do noL subsLanLlvely lnLeracL
wlLh munlclpallLles or counLles Lo help Lhem lmprove or plan for blcycllng and walklng ln Lhelr communlLles.

2. Lnsure LhaL Lhe new mu|t|-moda| fund allocaLes sufflclenL funds Lo blcycle and walklng pro[ecLs. rovldlng an
opporLunlLy for munlclpallLles and counLles Lo apply for plannlng, deslgn and consLrucLlon funds for blklng and walklng
pro[ecLs would provlde concenLraLed resources Lowards LransporLaLlon modes LhaL have long suffered from
underfundlng.

3. L||m|nate the 8|cyc|e Cccupancy erm|t. CurrenLly, sLaLe law requlres local auLhorlLles Lo obLaln approval from ennuC1
ln order for a blcycle marklng or slgn Lo be lnsLalled on a sLaLe road. ConsequenLly, ennuC1 requlres local auLhorlLles Lo
assume all malnLenance and llablllLy responslblllLy for blcycle marklngs and slgns and obLaln a 8lcycle Cccupancy ermlL
(8C) lf a blcycle faclllLy ls added Lo a sLaLe road wlLhln Lhe munlclpallLy. 1he 8C ls noL requlred ln hlladelphla or
lLLsburgh, and beLween Lhem, Lhey have over 400 mlles of blke lanes. ln Lhe resL of Lhe sLaLe, where Lhe 8C ls requlred,
less Lhan 30 exlsL. 8lcycle marklngs and slgns should noL Lrlgger ennuC1 approval and local auLhorlLles should noL be
requlred Lo obLaln a 8C from ennuC1 ln order Lo have blcycle marklngs or slgns lnsLalled on sLaLe roads wlLhln Lhelr
[urlsdlcLlons.

Pennsylvania State Alliance

of YMCAs
A growing number of Americas youth are experiencing serious health conditions once considered
exclusively adult diseases, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
By 2030, health care costs attributable to obesity and being overweight are estimated to range from $860
billion to $956 billion.
Obesity is costing American businesses $73 billion every year in lost productivity.
Obesity is also the leading medical reason why young Americans today are unable to qualify for the Armed
Forces.

Nearly 50% of U.S. adults and 65% of adolescents do not currently get the recommended amount of physical
activity each day.

To compound the problem, traditional transportation and community planning often overlooks the effect on
health and as a result, relies too much on cars. Our communities are frequently disconnected without safe
walking and biking routes between community recreational facilities, schools, residential neighborhoods and
commercial corridors.

Studies have found that building safe bike/pedestrian transportation routes increases the physical activity of
community residents and reduces health care costs associated with physical inactivity. For every dollar invested
in building these trails, nearly $3 in medical cost savings may be achieved.

Such facilities would also aid considerably in reducing auto congestion and the resulting air pollution in
Pennsylvanias urban cores at the same time as they would help increase fitness tourism to the Commonwealths
extensive rail-trail system, bringing valuable economic benefits. As an example, the 150 mile Greater Allegheny
Passage between Cumberland Maryland and Pittsburgh has a direct economic impact of over $40 million
annually.

Establishing the Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and dedicating funds to bike and pedestrian
projects would create more active communities, more connected and balanced transportation systems and
provide a cost-effective opportunity to improve public health.

Respectfully Signed:
American Academy of Pediatrics Pennsylvania Chapter
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
BIKE Pittsburgh
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
Clean Air Council
Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Mission: Readiness Military Leaders For Kids
PennFUTURE
PennState Hershey Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion
Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners
Pennsylvania Walks & Bikes
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Southeastern Pennsylvania Group of the Sierra Club
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania
Walk Bikes Berks
YMCA - Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs