A new study shows that Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of including bikes in everyday traffic.
The Princeton Survey Research Associates International asked 1,003 Americans across the country their view on non-motorized forms of transportation and the results show that the U.S. is putting one foot in front of the other to promote cycling and walking.
An astounding eight out of 10 people (83 percent) want to maintain or increase the federal funding that goes into building and maintaining sidewalks, bike lanes and bike paths. A mere 13 percent of those surveyed actually wanted to decrease the 1.5 percent of federal transportation funds going to bicycle and pedestrian pathways.
Behind the numbers, the study reveals that all political parties and geographic regions can get behind the upkeep and creation of America’s people-powered pathways.
Republican, 80 percent; Democrats, 88 percent; and Independents, 86 percent, all showed landslide support for improved pathway maintenance.
The highest support came from urban area survey takers at 89 percent. Residents of suburban areas came in second with 82 percent and rural survey takers were a close third with 81 percent in favor of bike lane and sidewalk funding.
The Northeast had the greatest percentage of support at 85 percent. The southern and western regions of the U.S. tied at 84 percent and the Midwest came behind the curve at 79 percent.
The biggest discrepancy found in the study was when those surveyed were categorized by age. The 18 to 29 age group rallied the most support at 89 percent. 83 percent of the 30 to 49 age group showed support, the 50 to 64 crowd had 78 percent in support. Not to be outdone, those 65 and up showed 79 percent support.
You can find the full length study and summary here.
