Now we’re getting somewhere
By Alissa Walker | Curbed.com
In many ways, 2016 was a bad year for all commuters. Even as cities made vast expansions to their cycling networks, bike share programs, and pedestrian infrastructure, vehicle-miles driven grew to an all-time high. Consequently, after a decade of declining traffic deaths, the number of road fatalities jumped by 10 percent from the previous year. That doesn’t mean walking and biking investments aren’t paying off—rather it shows that the U.S. needs to double down on improvements to help even more Americans choose to get out of their cars.
Not surprisingly, traffic is getting worse, too. The average American commute time is longer than it’s ever been: 26 minutes. And more cities are seeing the rise of “megacommuters,” those who spend up to 90 minutes in the car each way. After decades of sprawling development forcing people further and further away from their jobs, many Americans don’t have a choice—they’re forced into single-passenger vehicles on overcrowded highways. Cities have a responsibility to provide healthier, more enjoyable options for those who choose not to drive.
