Increasing Walking, Cycling, and Transit: Improving Californians’ Health, Saving Costs, and Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Published: 2016 | Neil Maizlish, PhD, MPH, Office of Health Equity, California Department of Public Health

Abstract

This study, like the majority of health impact studies of active transport in the United States and Europe, shows that physical activity due to increased biking and walking would have a profound impact on health and economic outcomes while contributing to State GHG and VMT reduction goals. Reducing the risk of traffic injuries is imperative. Active transport significantly builds on the positive health impacts from other transportation-related GHG mitigation strategies whose health co-benefit is improved air quality.