Environmental Benefits
Increased vehicle emissions have played a large role in climate disruption. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation is responsible for nearly 80% of carbon monoxide and 55% of nitrogen oxide emissions in the U.S. Personal transportation emissions from cars and trucks accounted for approximately 22% of this country’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and the biggest human activity–related contributor to global climate change.(1) The U.S. cost of health issues associated with poor air quality from transportation is between $40 billion and $64 billion per year.(2) Every mile not driven and replaced by a bicycle or walking trip, reduces both greenhouse gas emissions as well as America’s dependence on foreign oil.
With ozone levels in Chattanooga exceeding EPA recommendations, actions to protect our environment are necessary. Increasing the mode share of active transportation is one recommended action. The 2001 National Household Transportation Survey finds that 50% of all trips in metropolitan areas are three miles or less and 28% of all metropolitan trips are one mile or less – distances easily traversed by foot or bicycle. Yet 65% of trips under one mile are now made by automobile.(3) With even a modest increase in the number of these short bicycle and pedestrian trips to 40% of the total, 28 billion miles driven could be avoided. In a recent report labeled “Active Transportation for America” the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy stated that if we start shifting more of these short 1-3 mile trips to bicycling or walking instead of driving we could save 2.4 billion gallons of fuel and 21 million tons of CO2 a year, in the most modest scenario, and save 5 billion gallons of fuel and 45 million tons of CO2 a year in the most substantial scenario.
Chattanooga’s growing urban community needs to understand the detrimental environmental effects created by increased vehicle emissions. One of the goals of ALTN is to educate citizens about personal transportation choices and how active transportation can improve the environment.
Sources:
With ozone levels in Chattanooga exceeding EPA recommendations, actions to protect our environment are necessary. Increasing the mode share of active transportation is one recommended action. The 2001 National Household Transportation Survey finds that 50% of all trips in metropolitan areas are three miles or less and 28% of all metropolitan trips are one mile or less – distances easily traversed by foot or bicycle. Yet 65% of trips under one mile are now made by automobile.(3) With even a modest increase in the number of these short bicycle and pedestrian trips to 40% of the total, 28 billion miles driven could be avoided. In a recent report labeled “Active Transportation for America” the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy stated that if we start shifting more of these short 1-3 mile trips to bicycling or walking instead of driving we could save 2.4 billion gallons of fuel and 21 million tons of CO2 a year, in the most modest scenario, and save 5 billion gallons of fuel and 45 million tons of CO2 a year in the most substantial scenario.
Chattanooga’s growing urban community needs to understand the detrimental environmental effects created by increased vehicle emissions. One of the goals of ALTN is to educate citizens about personal transportation choices and how active transportation can improve the environment.
Sources:
- American Public Health Association. American Public Health Association Policy Statement 2007-9. Addressing the Urgent Threat of Global Climate Change to Public Health and the Environment. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association; 2007.
- Federal Highway Administration. 2000. Addendum to the 1997 Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study Final Report, May 2000.
- 2001 NHTS Poll.
Calculate your commute costs and emissions:
http://rideshare.511.org/calculator
http://rideshare.511.org/calculator
Benefits
There are many benefits to living an active life. Follow the links to find out more.
Contact
For more information on ALTN projects or to request a presentation or schedule the mobile bicycle fleet for your worksite or group:
- E-mail: info@activelivingtn.org
- Phone: (423) 643-6887
- Mailing: 200 River St. Chattanooga, TN 37405