HIKE AND BIKE SYSTEM MASTER PLAN
Quality of Life Many factors go into determining quality of life for the citizens of a community : the local education system , prevalence of quality employment opportunities , and affordability of housing are all items that are commonly cited . Increasingly though , citizens claim that access to alternative means of transportation and access to quality recreational opportunities such as parks , trails , greenways , and bicycle routes , are important factors for them in determining their overall pleasure within their community . Communities with such amenities can attract new businesses , industries , and in turn , new residents . Furthermore , quality of life is positively impacted by bicycling and hiking through the increased social connections that take place by residents being active , talking to one another and spending more time outdoors and in their communities .
According to the Brookings Institution , the number of older Americans is expected to double over the next 25 years . 10 All but the most fortunate seniors will confront an array of medical and other constraints on their mobility even as they continue to seek both an active community life , and the ability to age in place . Trails built as part of the hike and bike transportation network generally do not allow for motor vehicles . However , they do accommodate motorized wheelchairs , which is an important asset for the growing number of senior citizens who deserve access to independent mobility .
Children under 16 are another important subset of our society who deserve access to safe mobility and a higher quality of life . According to the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency , fewer children walk or bike to school than did so a generation ago . In 1969 , 48 percent of students walked or biked to school , but by 2001 , less than 16 percent of students between 5 and 15 walked or biked to or from school . 13
According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School , “ Walking or biking to school gives children time for physical activity and a sense of responsibility and independence ; allows them to enjoy being outside ; and provides them with time to socialize with their parents and friends and to get to know their neighborhoods .” 14 In a 2004 CDC survey , 1,588 adults answered questions about barriers to walking to school for their youngest child aged 5 to 18 years . 15 The main reasons cited by parents included distance to school , at 62 %, and traffic-related danger , at 30 %. Strategic additions to Arlington ’ s trail system could shorten the distance from homes to schools , and overall hike and bike improvements can improve the safety of our roadways .
Chapter 1 : Introduction | 1-9