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Get active your way: Active transportation |
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King County Executive
Ron Sims with Feet First | Active transportation is a term that is used to describe any physically active trip to work, school, the store or to visit friends. There are many different ways to get to where you are going and get the physical activity you need every day. Walking and biking are the most popular forms of active transportation but many people do both. For example, you can load your bike on the bus with you in the morning and ride it home in the afternoon. Even if you leave your bike at home, research has shown that people who use public transportation get more physical activity on average than people who drive.
Important reasons to consider active transportation
- It offers health benefits.
- It is better for the environment.
- It is good for your neighborhood.
- It saves you money
Active transportation to WORK |
Did you know that it only takes about five minutes to walk a quarter mile? For many of us, the time it takes it takes to walk or bike to work is similar to the time it takes to drive in rush hour traffic and find parking. And, you can feel good about the money you save on parking, gas, wear and tear on your car, and about the benefits to the environment.
If your commute is a long distance or includes barriers like busy highways, missing sidewalks, or steep hills you can combine walking and biking to work with Metro bus service. Find out about Metro bike information, including how to load your bike on the bus and bus timetables. Find out how King County Metro Transit is partnering with local communities to encourage residents to use healthier travel options like the bus, carpooling, bicycling and walking.
Active transportation to SHOPPING |
Walking or biking to shopping is a great way to support local businesses. For more information about transit, shopping on foot or on bike, or for tips on getting your purchases home:
Active transportation to SCHOOL |
Many schools in King County are trying to increase the number of children who safely walk and bike to school. Only 13 percent of all trips to school are made by walking and biking. Of school trips one mile or less, only 31 percent are made by walking. Within two miles of school, only two percent are made by biking.
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Public Health's Ped Bee at Walk Your Kids to School Day in Kirkland | Walk- and bike-to-school programs aim to increase the number of children who walk or bike to school. These programs partner with school staff, parents, law enforcement, community leaders and neighborhood business to support:
- Walking school buses
- Safety education
- Traffic engineering improvements (like sidewalks and bike lanes)
- Enforcement of speed limits
- Walking buddies
- Crossing guards
The Washington State Department of Transportation wants to increase the number of students who safely walk and bike to school and has implemented a new grant program to provide funds to implement local safe routes to school programs. Additional safe routes to school resources:
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