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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 ofobesity in the
Commonwealth. Healthy lifestyles that include adequate physical
activity are ultimately a matterof personal responsibility.
However, abuilt environment that affords safe and convenient
walking and bikingopportunities 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. Centersfor Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 28.6 percent of adults in
Pennsylvania are considered obese. At thecurrent trajectory, 56.7
percent of Pennsylvania adults will be obese by 2030. Even more
alarming is that childobesity rates have more than tripled in the
last 30 years. Pennsylvania recently became the 40th state in
whichmore than 40 percent of its young adults are considered
overweight or obese.
The negative consequences of this obesity epidemic are
widespread and growing:
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Pennsylvania State Allianceof YMCAs
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A growing number of Americas youth are experiencing serious
health conditions once consideredexclusively 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 $860billion 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 physicalactivity each
day.
To compound the problem, traditional transportation and
community planning often overlooks the effect onhealth and as a
result, relies too much on cars. Our communities are frequently
disconnected without safewalking and biking routes between
community recreational facilities, schools, residential
neighborhoods andcommercial corridors.
Studies have found that building safe bike/pedestrian
transportation routes increases the physical activity ofcommunity
residents and reduces health care costs associated with physical
inactivity. For every dollar investedin 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 inPennsylvanias urban
cores at the same time as they would help increase fitness tourism
to the Commonwealthsextensive rail-trail system, bringing valuable
economic benefits. As an example, the 150 mile Greater
AlleghenPassage between Cumberland Maryland and Pittsburgh has a
direct economic impact of over $40 millionannually.
Establishing the Office ofBicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and
dedicating funds to bike and pedestrianprojects would create more
active communities, more connected and balanced transportation
systems andprovide a cost-effective opportunity to improve public
health.
Respectfully Signed:American Academy of Pediatrics Pennsylvania
ChapterAmerican Cancer SocietyAmerican Diabetes AssociationAmerican
Heart AssociationBicycle Coalition of Greater PhiladelphiaBIKE
PittsburghBlue Cross of Northeastern PennsylvaniaThe Childrens
Hospital ofPhiladelphiaClean Air CouncilLebanon Valley Bicycle
Coalition
Mission: Readiness Military Leaders For KidsPennFUTUREPennState
Hershey Center for Nutrition and Activity PromotionPennsylvania
Association of School Nurses and PractitionersPennsylvania Walks
& BikesRails to Trails ConservancySoutheastern Pennsylvania
Group of the Sierra ClubUnited Cerebral Palsy of Central
PennsylvaniaWalk Bikes BerksYMCA - Pennsylvania State Alliance of
YMCAs
