Economic Statistics
This section contains:
Economic benefits of the bicycling industry and tourism
Economic benefits of bicycling facilities and transportation
Cost of inactivity, overweight, and obesity
Cost of automobiles and dependence on foreign oil
Economic benefits of the bicycling industry and tourism [back to top]
- Bicycling-related businesses bring $315 million to Minnesota's economy annually.
Mayer, F., 2010
"Inside Minnesota's Booming Bike Economy," Minnesota Business
- The Harbin Park Cyclocross Race in Cincinnati, OH was estimated to bring $200,000 to the community in 2010. 70% of participants traveled in from over 100 miles to compete, and more than 80% stayed two nights or more in the region.
Liberles, J., 2010
"Money talks, UCI3 Harbin Park event brings $200,000 to community," CXmagazine.com, 3 November 2010
- Bicyclists on Minnesota's trails spend $481 million annually while recreating, creating 5,880 jobs and $40.6 million in state and local taxes.
Venegas, E., 2009
Economic Impact of Recreational Trail Use in Different Regions of Minnesota (p. 36)
- In 2010, mountain bike trails at Raystown Lake, PA attracted more than 25,000 visitors, 2.5 times more than predicted. Mountain bikers brought $1.2 million in spending to the region.
Wimpey, J., and Maguire, F., 2011
- Mountain bikers contribute an estimated $25 million to the Fruita, Colorado economy—approximately 15 percent of the annual budget for the entire Mesa County.
LeCarner, T., 2011
"Fruita Fat Tire Fest: All About the Ride," Singletrack.com, 4 May 2011
- The Nature Valley Bicycle Festival generates an economic impact of more than $1.2 million in sales of food, transportation, and other tourism products, supporting 28 new jobs.
Kashian, R., and Kasper, J., 2010
- Biking and hiking trails in Teton County, Wyoming create an annual economic benefit of more than $18 million. The trail system cost $1.7 million to build over the last decade.
Kaliszewski, N., 2011
Jackson Hole Trails Project Economic Impact Study, University of Wyoming
- Bicycling generates £3 billion per year for the UK economy. If bicycling increased another 20% by 2015, it would save the economy £207 million in reduced traffic conditions, £71 million in reduced pollution, and £52 million in reduced healthcare costs.
Grous, A., 2011
- In a survey of visitors to Portland, OR, 78% said that the city's bike-friendliness was a factor in their decision to visit there.
City of Portland Bureau of Transportation, 2009
- Bicyclists in the northern Outer Banks region of North Carolina bring an estimated $60 million annually to the area's economy, nearly nine times the one-time expenditure of $6.7 million of public funds to construct bicycle facilities in the region. 1,400 jobs are created and/or supported annually by the bicyclists' expenditures.
North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, 2004
- Bicycling brings more than $1 billion to the Colorado state economy.
Colorado Department of Transportation Bicycle/Pedestrian Program, 2000
Bicycling and Walking in Colorado: Economic Impact and Household Survey Results
- The Wisconsin bicycle industry brings $556 million and 3,420 jobs to the state.
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Economic Impact of Bicycling in Wisconsin
- Bicycle tourism brings $66.8 million to the Maine economy.
Maine Department of Transportation, 2001
Bicycle Tourism in Maine: Economic Impacts and Marketing Recommendations
- Bicycle-related economic activity provides $90 million and 850-1150 jobs for the city of Portland, Ore. From 2006 to 2008, the value of the Portland bicycle industry increased 38%.
Alta Planning + Design, 2008
The Value of the Bicycle-Related Industry in Portland
- In 2005, 19.8 million bicycles were sold in the U.S., 4.4 million more than all the cars and trucks purchased in the U.S. that year.
National Bicycle Dealers Association, 2008; U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2008
- The US bicycle industry is a $5.6 billion industry.
National Bicycle Dealers Association, 2010
- In Colorado, bike sales bring in $200 million annually, more than total motorcycle sales.
Colorado Department of Transportation Bicycle/Pedestrian Program, 2000
Bicycling and Walking in Colorado: Economic Impact and Household Survey Results
- Mountain bike trails in the Chequamegon Area of Northern Wisconsin brought $1.17 million to the area's economy in 1997.
Sumathi, N., and D. Berard, 1997
- A 1996 study estimated that mountain bike tourism brings $8.4 to $8.8 million to Moab, Utah's economy annually.
Fix, P., and J. Loomis, 1996
- A survey of mountain bikers indicated that 80% of respondents had taken at least one overnight trip to go mountain biking.
Green, D., 2003
Travel Patterns of Destination Mountain Bikers
- Recreational bicycling brings more than $924 million to the state of Wisconsin every year.
Grabow, M., et al., 2010
Valuing Bicycling's Economic and Health Impacts in Wisconsin, January 2010
- If resident and non-resident recreational cycling increased 20% in Wisconsin, it would create $184 million in economic activity and generate 2,638 additional jobs.
Grabow, M., et al., 2010
Valuing Bicycling's Economic and Health Impacts in Wisconsin, January 2010
- The bicycle industry is estimated to support 1.1 million jobs, generate nearly $18 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, and contribute $133 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2006
The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy
- The 2009 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships brought more than $1 million in direct spending to the Bend, Oregon region. The 2009 Road Nationals brought more than $1.4 million to the area.
Lindberg, K., 2010
Economic Impact Study: 2009 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
- The average bicycle shop has 6 full-time employees. With approximately 4,200 specialty bicycle retailers in the U.S., this totals 25,620 people employed full-time by these retailers.
National Bicycle Dealer Association, 2009
- The bicycle industry in Santa Cruz, California generates more than $130 million in annual revenue and employs more than 500 workers.
Davidson, M., 2007
Economic benefits of mountain bike tourism for Santa Cruz County
- Trails in the Miami Valley of Ohio attract 1 million visitors who spend up to $16 million on goods and services related to their use of the trails every year.
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, 2009
Miami Valley Trail User Survey Report
- The quality of bicycling in the northern Outer Banks region positively impacts vacationers' planning: - 12% report staying three to four days longer to bicycle - 43% report that bicycling is an important factor in their decision to come to the area - 53% report that bicycling will strongly influence their decision to return to the area in the future
North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, 2004
Economic benefits of bicycling facilities and transportation [back to top]
- The entire 2,250-mile East Cost Greenway bike route network could be upgraded for one-fifth the cost of a highway bridge.
LaHood, R., 2010
- New Yorkers save $19 billion per year because they rely less on cars than residents of other major U.S. cities.
CEOs for Cities, 2010
New York City's Green Dividend
- 68% of businesses involved in Portland, Oregon's SmartTrips Business program said that promoting biking and walking helped them market their business.
Maus, J., 2010
"PBOT releases results of SmartTrips Business Program," BikePortland.org, 19 February 2010
- A 20-year study of efforts to make streets less convenient for autos and better for pedestrians and cyclists found that after changes are implemented, businesses in these areas show stronger growth than auto-friendly shopping centers.
Hass-Klau, C., 1993
- For more statistics on how bicycling facilities affect real estate values, refer to our fact sheet "How do Bicycling Investments Affect Real Estate?"
Bikes Belong Foundation, 2010
"How do Bicycling Investments Affect Real Estate?"
- For more statistics on how bicycling facilities affect local business, refer to our fact sheet "How do Bicycling Investments Affect Local Business?"
Bikes Belong Foundation, 2010
"How do Bicycling Investments Affect Local Business?"
- A report estimated that Portland, Oregon's regional trail network saves the city approximately $115 million per year in healthcare costs.
Beil, K., 2011
- A study of commerce in Melbourne, Australia found that bike parking spaces generate more than five times the hourly revenue ($31) of car parking spaces ($6).
Lee, A., 2007
- Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects create up to double the jobs (11-14) of road infrastructure projects (7) per $1 million spent.
Garrett-Peltier, H., 2010
- For every 10 miles bicycled instead of driven, society saves nearly $10.
City of Copenhagen, 2009
Working paper: Economic evaluation of cycle projects - methodology and unit prices
- Bicyclists on Minnesota's trails spend $481 million annually while recreating, creating 5,880 jobs and $40.6 million in state and local taxes.
Venegas, E., 2009
Economic Impact of Recreational Trail Use in Different Regions of Minnesota (p. 36)
- After Mississippi's Longleaf Trace trail opened, sales in a nearby bike shop doubled and have risen ever since. The business's growth generated an additional $175,000 in state sales tax, of which $31,500 was returned to the city.
Moore, J., 2011
"Bike trail boosts business in Mississippi," Bikeleague.org Blog, 16 March 2011
- Rents along New York City's Times Square pedestrian and bicycle paths increased 71% in 2010, the greatest rise in the city.
New York City Department of Transportation, 2011
- Homes located on a bike boulevard are worth $5,757 more than homes not on one.
Rice, E., 2008
- For a summary of the health benefits of trails, refer to Active Living Research's Research Brief, "The Power of Trails for Promoting Physical Activity in Communities."
- Biking and hiking trails in Teton County, Wyoming create an annual economic benefit of more than $18 million. The trail system cost $1.7 million to build over the last decade.
Kaliszewski, N., 2011
Jackson Hole Trails Project Economic Impact Study, University of Wyoming
- A Dutch study found that cyclists spend less per visit than motorists at supermarkets, but they visit more often. As a result, cyclists account for at least as much spending as people arriving by car.
Fietsberaad, 2011
"Cyclists spend as much in supermarket as motorists"
- An Ohio State University study estimated that the Mill Creek Greenway could provide approximately $10 million in economic benefits and property value increases for Mill Creek and surrounding communities.
Ohio State University, 2008
Mill Creek River Resource Economic Study
- Bicycling projects create an average of 11.4 jobs per million dollars spent, compared to just 7.8 jobs for road-only projects.
Garrett-Peltier, H., 2011
- By encouraging employees to bike commute, Minnesota company QBP saved $170,000 in health care costs over three years and $301,136 in employee productivity every year.
League of American Bicyclists, 2011
Quality Bike Products Health and Wellbeing Program
- Bicycling generates £3 billion per year for the UK economy. If bicycling increased another 20% by 2015, it would save the economy £207 million in reduced traffic conditions, £71 million in reduced pollution, and £52 million in reduced healthcare costs.
Grous, A., 2011
- The health benefits of Ciclovia events outweigh the costs by a factor of up to 4:1.
Montes, F., et al., 2011
- Three bike paths in Central Florida bring $42 million to the local economy every year.
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council in Tracy, D., 2011
"Bike trails pump $42M into Central Florida economy, study says," Orlando Sentinel, 17 October 2011
- Homeowners are willing to pay a $9,000 premium to live within 1,000 feet of the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
vom Hofe, R., and Parent, O., in University of Cincinnati, 2011
-
A recent CDC study found that community-based physical activity interventions, such as new bike paths and trails, are "money well spent", meaning they are more cost-effective than traditional preventive strategies in reducing new cases of many chronic diseases and improving quality of life. Interventions like enhanced access to bike paths reduce new cases of disease by:
- 5-15 cases per 100,000 people for colon cancer
- 15-58 cases per 100,000 for breast cancer
- 59-207 cases per 100,000 for type 2 diabetes
- 140-476 cases per 100,000 for heart disease
Roux et al., 2008; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008
- 48% of Dutch HR managers report that their organization promotes cycling to work.
TNO, 2009
"Reduced sickness absence in regular commuter cyclists can save employers 27 million euros"
- The benefits of investments in cycle networks are estimated to be at least 4-5 times the costs, making such investments more beneficial to society than other transport alternatives.
Saelensminde, K., 2004
- In Minneapolis-St. Paul, for every 400 meters closer a median-priced home is to an off-street bicycle facility, its value increases by $510.
Krizek, K., 2006
- The more often an employee cycles and the longer the distance traveled, the lower the rate of absenteeism.
TNO, 2009
"Reduced sickness absence in regular commuter cyclists can save employers 27 million euros"
- A £10,000 investment in cycling infrastructure takes just one additional regular cyclist to recoup its cost. A £100,000 investment takes 11 additional regular cyclists.
Cycling England, 2008
in Bike for All, "It pays to invest in bikes, Cycling England tells councils"
- A fall 2008 study estimated that cycling saves British commuters an average £34 ($51) a week or collectively up to £111.2 million ($167 million).
Sainsbury's Home Insurance, 2008
"Over three million commuters start cycling to keep costs down"
- Through improvements in health, reductions in congestion, and by enhancing the ambient environment, a 50% increase in the number of trips by bicycle in England would generate benefits worth £1.3 billion by 2015.
Cycling England, 2008
in Bike for All, "It pays to invest in bikes, Cycling England tells councils"
- In a survey of recent transplants to Portland, OR, 62% said that the city's bike-friendliness was a factor in their decision to move there.
City of Portland Bureau of Transportation, 2009
- The Virginia Creeper Trail generates $1.59 million in annual spending, supporting 27 new full-time jobs.
United States Department of Agriculture, 2004
in Trails and Economic Development, 2007, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Shifting travel from driving to biking can reduce external costs (costs paid by society) by 25 cents per mile in average conditions and 50 per mile in heavy urban traffic.
Litman, T., 2009
- When San Francisco made its Valencia Street less conducive to automobile travel and better for bicyclists and pedestrians, nearly 40% of merchants reported increased sales and 60% reported more area residents shopping locally due to reduced travel time and convenience. Two-thirds of merchants said the increased levels of bicycling and walking improved business.
Drennan, E., 2003
in "The Benefits of Complete Streets 7: Complete streets spark economica revitilization"
- Houses located in areas with above-average levels of walkability [or bikeability] are worth up to $34,000 more than similar houses in areas with average walkability levels.
Cortright, J., 2009
"Walking the Walk: How walkability raises home values in U.S. cities," CEOs for Cities
- Portland, Oregon residents save $2.6 billion per year thanks to spending less time in cars and more biking or walking.
Cortright, J., 2007
"Portland's Green Dividend," CEOs for Cities
- The health benefit of a kilometer of cycling is valued at $1.
de Jong, P., 2009
Evaluating the health benefits of bicycle helmet laws
- In a study of Toronto merchants, patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visit the most often and spend the most money per month.
The Clean Air Partnership, 2009
Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business: A study of Bloor Street in Toronto's Annex Neighbourhood
- According to a study of the Little Miami Scenic Trail, for every foot closer a house is to the trail, its price increases by $7.05.
Karadeniz, D., 2008
- Two-thirds of Omaha, Nebraska, residents who live near bike trails believe the trails would increase the selling price of their home.
Greer, D. L., 2000
-
The City of Copenhagen calculated how much they would save if cycling increased 10%. They found that:
- The healthcare system would save DKK 59 million annually
- There would be an annual savings of DKK 155 million due to reduced production loss
- The labor market would have 57,000 fewer days of absence
- 61,000 extra years of life
- 46,000 fewer years of prolonged, severe illness
- 25 fewer early retirement pensions annually
City of Copenhagen, 2006
- Local sales of bicycles jumped 35% after the Velib bike sharing system was installed in Paris.
Nadal, L., 2008
"Velib: One year later," Sustainable Transport, Winter 2008
- It costs the same to build parking for 75 bikes as it does for just 4 cars.
Tran, V., 2010
- By 2017, Portland, Oregon residents will have saved $64 million in health care costs thanks to bicycling. By 2040, the city will have invested $138-605 million in bicycling yet saved $388-594 million in health care costs and $143-218 million in fuel costs, a benefit-cost ratio of up to 4 to 1.
Gotschi, T., 2011
- The city of Sydney, Australia conducted a study that found adding 200km of bikeways to the city would deliver at least $500 million ($3.88 for every dollar spent) in economic benefits. The network would also reduce traffic congestion by 4.3 million car trips/year, increase bike trips 66% by 2016, and provide $147 million in health benefits.
Southern Courier
Cycling equals big financial benefits plus fewer cars, says new study, 14 May 2010
Cost of inactivity, overweight, and obesity [back to top]
- 80% of Americans recognize childhood obesity as a serious problem, and 50% of Americans believe that it is such an important issue that we need to invest more to prevent it immediately.
Quinlan, A., et al. in Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2010
F as in Fat: 2010: How obesity threatens American's future
- Half of Louisiana schoolchildren are obese or overweight.
Burgess, R., 2010
"Study: 1 in 2 school kids fat," 2theadvocate.com, 23 April 2010
- The annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.
Neergaard, L., 2010
"Report: Obesity hurts your wallet and your health," Associated Press, Sept 20, 2010
- The total annual cost of overweight and obesity in the United States is $270 billion.
Behan, D., et al., 2010
Obesity and its relation to mortality and morbidity costs
- If American adults each drove one mile less per day, it would reduce the adult obesity rate by 2.16 percent over six years.
Jacobson, S., et al., 2011
A note on the relationship between obesity and driving, Transport Policy, 11 May 2011
- If current trends continue, nearly half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2020.
Stewart, S., et al., 2009
- Eighty-six percent of American workers are overweight and/or have chronic health troubles, costing companies $153 billion in lost productivity each year.
Gallup-Healthyways in Simpson, I., 2011
"Ailing and overweight Americans cost billions in productivity," 17 October 2011, Reuters US
- By 2030 there will be 65 million more obese adults in the U.S., costing the country an additional $48-66 billion in annual healthcare costs.
Wang, Y., et al., 2011
- By building a bicycle trail, it costs just $98 to help a person become more physically active.
Wang, G., et al., 2004
- Every one-pound increase in the average weight of American car passengers increases fuel consumption by 40 million gallons.
Jacobson, S., and D. King, 2009
- If cycling participation increased enough to reduce obesity by about 3%, national medical expenditures could be reduced by $6 billion.
Rashad, I., 2008
- Workers with a higher BMI are more likely to report short-term disability in the workplace.
Arena, V., et al., 2006
- A study from the Netherlands determined that employers could save 27 million euros by encouraging employees to cycle to work more.
TNO, 2009
"Reduced sickness absence in regular commuter cyclists can save employers 27 million euros"
- Obese workers are more likely to report lost productive time than normal-weight workers, costing U.S. companies an estimated $42.49 billion in lost time.
Ricci, J., and Chee, E., 2005
- The annual cost of obesity to employers ranges from $175 for every overweight male employee to $2,485 for every grade-II (BMI 30-40) obese female.
Finkelstein, E., et al., 2005
The costs of obesity among full-time employees, American Journal of Health Promotion, 20, 45-51
- Obesity costs a company with 1,000 employees $285,000 per year.
Finkelstein, E., et al., 2005
The costs of obesity among full-time employees, American Journal of Health Promotion, 20, 45-51
- In 2008, overweight and obesity cost the U.S. $147 billion, up $30 billion from 2000.
RTI International, 2009 and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001
- The annual individual medical cost of inactivity ($622) is more than 2 ½ times the annual cost per user of bike and pedestrian trails ($235).
Wang, G., et al., 2004
- One billion extra gallons of gasoline are consumed annually due to overweight and obesity in the US.
Jacobson, S., and D. King, 2009
-
Every year, the following diseases caused by inactivity cost Americans:
- Heart disease - $175 billion
- Diabetes - $100 billion
- Arthritis - $84 billion
- Stroke -$43 billion
- Breast cancer - $16 billion
- Colon cancer - $8 billion
- Gall bladder disease - $7 billion
- Prostate cancer - $6 billion
Pretty, J., et al., 2003
- In 20 years, the cost of hospital visits for obese children have more than tripled from $35 million in 1979-1981 to $127 million in 1997-1999.
Outdoor Foundation
"Getting Youth Active: Inactivity among American Youth"
- There is significant long-term cost savings with interventions among overweight children who are likely to become obese adults.
Finkelstein, E., and J. Trogdon, 2008
- Obesity now accounts for 9.1% of all medical spending, up from 6.5% in 1998.
RTI International, 2009
- On average, an obese patient has $4,871 in medical bills a year compared with $3,442 for a patient at a healthy weight.
RTI International, 2009
- In Oregon, at least 6 extra pounds per person can be attributed to urban sprawl. If every person in the state lost those 6 pounds, the state would save $206 million per year in healthcare expenses.
Upstream Public Health, 2006
Creating a Transportation Policy for a Healthier Oregon
- Between 1987 and 2001, increases in the proportion of and spending on obese people relative to people of normal weight accounted for 27 percent of the rise in healthcare spending.
Thorpe, K., et al., 2004
The impact of obesity on rising medical spending, Health Affairs (Project HOPE), W4-480-6
- In 2008, Americans spent $59 billion on weight loss programs, surgeries, and foods.
Pollack, A., 2009
"Medicine's elusive goal: A safe weight-loss drug," The New York Times, October 17, 2009
- In 2018, obesity will affect 43 percent of U.S. adults and add $344 billion to direct health care costs if nothing is done soon.
Thorpe, K., 2009
- In 2018, obesity-related healthcare costs will average $1,425 per person, up from $361 per adult in 2008.
Thorpe, K., 2009
- It costs three to four times more to enroll a sedentary adult in a structured exercise program than to teach them how to integrate moderate-intensity physical activity into their life [e.g. bicycling for transportation].
Sevick, M., et al., 2000
- A study of over 2,000 workers concluded that physically active commuting to work is effective at improving physical fitness and raising HDL (good) cholesterol, and also that it can be successfully promoted by low cost measures.
Vuori, I., et al., 1994
Cost of automobiles and dependence on foreign oil [back to top]
- New Yorkers save $19 billion per year because they rely less on cars than residents of other major U.S. cities.
CEOs for Cities, 2010
New York City's Green Dividend
- Americans drive 55 minutes per day on average.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2003
Highlights of the 2001 National Household Travel Survey
- There are 800 million car parking spaces in the U.S., totaling 160 billion square feet of concrete and asphalt. The environmental impact of all car parking spaces adds 10 percent to the CO2 emissions of the average automobile.
Chester, M., et al., 2010
-
Unnecessary vehicle idling in New York City:
- Costs drivers $28 million a year
- Causes as much smog-forming pollution as 9 million large trucks driving from the Bronx to Staten Island
- Wastes the gasoline equal to 40,000 cars driving from Midtown to JFK
Burgess, E., et al., 2009
- In 2009, it cost an average of $0.57 per mile to own and operate a vehicle.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2010
- The transportation sector is responsible for 71% of all U.S. petroleum use.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2010
- If American adults each drove one mile less per day, it would reduce the adult obesity rate by 2.16 percent over six years.
Jacobson, S., et al., 2011
A note on the relationship between obesity and driving, Transport Policy, 11 May 2011
- Americans spend more on transportation than any other category except housing. On average, 18% of household expenditures are for transportation.
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, and Department of Transportation, 2
Pocket Guide to Transportation 2009
- The average annual operating cost of a bicycle is $308, less than 4% that of an average car ($8,220).
Bike cost from Moritz, W., 1997. Automobile cost from U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2009
Pocket Guide to Transportation
- It costs $100,000 to buy and drive a Ford F-250 the average amount (15,000 miles/year) for the typical amount of time (5 years).
Leonhardt, D., 2008
Big vehicles stagger under the weight of $4 gas, The New York Times
- On a weekday, the average car driven into Manhattan causes a total of 3.26 hours of delays to other drivers, the equivalent of $160.
Salmon, F., in T. Valderbilt, 2009
"Cincinnati Across the Horizon," July 7, 2009, How We Drive, the Blog of Tom Vanderbilt's Traffic
- A household in a low density neighborhood drives 1,200 more miles and uses 65 more gallons of fuel per year than a similar household in a high density neighborhood.
Brownstone, D., and T. Golob, 2008
- Households in automobile-dependent communities devote 50% more—an extra $3,000 on average—to transportation than households in communities with better bike and pedestrian facilities.
McCann, 2000
in Economic Value of Walkability, T. Litman, 2009
- The average fuel efficiency of today's U.S.vehicle fleet has increased just 3 MPG since the days of the Ford Model T. Fuel efficiency has barely increased since 1991.
Sivak, M., and Tsimhoni, O., 2009
Fuel Efficiency of Vehicles on US Roads: 1923–2006, Energy Policy, 37, 3168-3170
- More than 1 million people have died in motor vehicle crashes in the last 25 years in the U.S. In 2008, more than 100 people died every day in car crashes.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2009
2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index
- 37 percent of Americans say they would pay between $10 and $20 to reduce their daily commute by 15 minutes.18% would pay up to $40 a day.
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
- 86% of Americans say they have been stuck in traffic in the last three years, and the average delay is one hour.
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
- More than half of American drivers (52%) believe that traffic has gotten worse in the last three years, and 16% think it had gotten much worse.
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
- 44% of American drivers believe traffic congestion increases their stress levels, 25% say it makes them feel more angry, 16% say it negatively affects work or school performance, and 11% say they it makes them get less sleep.
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
-
Americans say that if their commute times were reduced, they'd spend the extra time:
- with family and friends (52%)
- recreating (37%)
- exercising (37%)
- sleeping (33%)
- working (11%)
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
- More than a third of American drivers (34%) report that they have decided not to make a driving trip in the last month due to anticipated traffic.
IBM Corporation, 2009
The Commuter's Challenge: The impact of traffic congestion in the U.S., 2009 Commuter Pain Survey
- One of every 10 barrels of crude oil ends up in U.S. gasoline tanks.
Gold, R., and A. Campoy, 2009
"Oil Industry Braces for Drop in U.S. Thirst for Gasoline," The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2009
- Americans rank the automobile as their most important possession; 88% consider it a necessity, not a luxury, more than a clothes dryer (66%), air conditioning (54%), or a TV (52%).
Taylor, P., et al., 2009
Luxury of Necessity?: The Public Makes a U-Turn, Pew Research Center, April 23, 2009
- Traffic congestion is linked to poor health in infants. Reductions in traffic congestion can reduce the incidence of prematurity and low birth weight among mothers who live within 2km of a road.
Currie, J., and R. Walker, 2009
- In metro areas, nearly 50 percent of families without a car live in the suburbs.
Colorado Department of Transportation, 2006
Mobility needs of low income and minority households research study, November 2006
- In the US, 99 percent of all car trips begin and end at a parking space that is free to the driver.
Shoup, 1999
- In 2001, the average American spent 64 minutes daily in a vehicle.
Hu, P., and T. Reuscher, 2004
Summary of travel trends: 2001 National Household Travel Survey, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Since 1936, the number of miles driven by Americans has grown two-and-a-half times faster than the U.S. population.
Handy, S., 2003
- Since 1960, the number of people commuting to work outside the county in which they live has increased 200%.
Killingsworth, R., and T. Schmid, 2001
- A quarter of teenagers drive more than 20 miles per day.
Trowbridge, M., and N McDonald, 2008
- New US immigrants are twice as likely to live in households without vehicles as immigrants who have lived in the US for ten years or more. However, even after spending a decade in the US, immigrants are still twice as likely to live in households without automobiles compared to the US-born population.
McGuckin and Srnivasan, 2003
- In the US, there are 5 vehicles for every 4 drivers.
Brown, L., 2010
"U.S. Car Fleet Shrank by Four Million in 2009," Earth Policy Institute, January 6, 2010
- In the U.S., thirty-five million people live within 300 feet of a major roadway, putting them at higher risk of respiratory illness.
Environmental Protection Agency, 2009
in "The Hidden Health Costs of Transportation"
- The U.S. transportation sector is almost entirely dependent on petroleum as an energy source. Nearly two-thirds of the petroleum used in the U.S. is imported.
U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, and Department of Transportation, 2
Pocket Guide to Transportation 2009
- If all Americans ages 10-64 were to bicycle instead of drive for 60 minutes a day, gasoline demand would be reduced by 48 billion gallons, equal to 35% of 2005 domestic oil consumption.
Higgins, P., and M. Higgins, 2005
A healthy reduction in oil consumption and carbon emissions, Energy Policy, 22, 1-4
- Only 5% of households with an income of $20,000 to $39,999 have no motor vehicle.
Pucher, J., and J. Renne, 2003
Socioeconomics of Urban Travel: Evidence from the 2001 NHTS, Transportation Quarterly, 57, 49-77
- In 1990, the average urban American drove 2 ½ times as much (11,155 - 1,470 km) as an urban European (4,519 - 707 km).
Kenworthy, J., and F. Laube, 1999
- Between 1995 and 2001, Americans spent about 10% more time in their vehicles but traveled about the same number of miles.
Hu, P., and T. Reuscher, 2004
- The average amount of time an American spends in a vehicle is slightly more than an hour a day.
Hu, P., and T. Reuscher, 2004
- Cars are used for 75% of trips under one mile.
Blomberg, R., et al., 2004
Pedestrian transportation: A look forward, TRB A3B04: Committee on Pedestrians
- In 2000, 76% of workers (97.5 million people) drove to work alone.
Reschovsky, C., 2004
Journey to Work: 2000, Census 2000 Brief, US Census Bureau
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In 2007, the average annual delay for every person using motorized travel during peak periods was 36 hours, equivalent to:
- Almost 5 vacation days
- Almost 13 big league baseball games
- More than 600 average online video clips
Schrank, D., and T. Lomax, 2009
The 2009 Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute
- The US is responsible for a quarter of global oil consumption. The transportation sector accounts for two-thirds of this.
US Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2007
- Excess air pollution in parts of California costs $28 billion annually (up to $1,600 per person) in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.
Hall, J., et al., 2008
- The average American household spends an entire three months' pay on transportation.
Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2009
in AZ Central.com, 2009, "Average cost of transport consumes 3 months' pay"
- In 2009, congestion caused 4.8 billion hours of travel delay and 3.9 billion gallons of wasted fuel, equaling a cost of more than $115 billion.
Schrank, D., and T. Lomax, 2010
The 2010 Urban Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute
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