What is a good response too? I grew up near Grand Rapids, Michigan so I will compare the differences between cities in the same state. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Walkscore Tool in Jackson, Michigan. Interestingly, Jackson has a Walk Score of 47 and a Bike Score of 58, representing a somewhat bikeable but mostly car-dependent community. By way of contrast, Grand Rapids has a Walkscore of 56, a Transit score of 37, and a Bike Score of 52. Although my walk score is a little higher, it's still mostly a car-dependent city. You mentioned high traffic and pedestrian/bicycle safety in Jackson; these are challenges shared in my area, too. In both of our communities, the lack of infrastructure that's friendly to pedestrians probably discourages walking and biking as regular modes of transportation and might affect health outcomes like obesity and diabetes. If people don't feel safe walking or bicycling, they are more likely to drive or stay home, reducing their overall level of physical activity. It only reinforces the fact that walking health benefits require easily accessible and safe spaces for exercise in every community. Indeed, if cities are designed more for cars and it's hard for the residents to pursue an active way of life, this can have high rates of chronic diseases. Wonder if there's any particular change Jackson could make to really create better walkability and safety for pedestrians and cyclists? Have a great day,
What is a good response too?
I grew up near Grand Rapids, Michigan so I will compare the differences between cities in the same state.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Walkscore Tool in Jackson, Michigan. Interestingly, Jackson has a Walk Score of 47 and a Bike Score of 58, representing a somewhat bikeable but mostly car-dependent community. By way of contrast, Grand Rapids has a Walkscore of 56, a Transit score of 37, and a Bike Score of 52. Although my walk score is a little higher, it's still mostly a car-dependent city.
You mentioned high traffic and pedestrian/bicycle safety in Jackson; these are challenges shared in my area, too. In both of our communities, the lack of infrastructure that's friendly to pedestrians probably discourages walking and biking as regular modes of transportation and might affect health outcomes like obesity and diabetes. If people don't feel safe walking or bicycling, they are more likely to drive or stay home, reducing their overall level of physical activity.
It only reinforces the fact that walking health benefits require easily accessible and safe spaces for exercise in every community. Indeed, if cities are designed more for cars and it's hard for the residents to pursue an active way of life, this can have high rates of chronic diseases.
Wonder if there's any particular change Jackson could make to really create better walkability and safety for pedestrians and cyclists?
Have a great day,
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