Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Bicycling

Why Americans Bike and Walk — Or Don’t

bike_safety.jpg

DC-area blog WashCycle points us to this recently released survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [PDF].
The stats on Americans' bicycling and walking behavior are a little
behind the times -- from phone interviews done in 2002 -- but there are
reams of data compiled from nearly 10,000 questionnaires.

Some
of the most interesting nuggets concern perceptions of safety -- like
the fact that bicyclists are much more likely to feel unsafe on bike
lanes than on bike paths -- which buttress Jennifer Dill's research on cyclist behavior.


On
the walking side, suburban residents who walk are much more likely to
feel threatened by the "potential for crime" than city residents are.
But even crime-fearing suburbanites agree: Motorists are the number one threat to pedestrians:

ped_safety.jpg

Graphics: NHTSA

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Watch Nick Andert’s 2025 So Cal Transit Update Video

Get up to speed on what has been happening, and what transit riders can expect in the coming decades

December 22, 2025

SGV Connect 144: Annual AMA with Foothill Transit

It's the most wonderful podcast of the year

December 19, 2025

Friday Round-Up: Speed Cameras, River Path, Memorial Crosswalk, and More

Metro releases L.A. River path draft plan for comment, "large asphalt repair" video, crosswalk memorial, and speed camera programs coming soon to Glendale and Long Beach

December 19, 2025

Friday’s Headlines

L.A. River path, Santa Clarita Transit, Chevron fire, Caltrans, Metrolink, and more

December 19, 2025
See all posts