Rails to Trails Conservancy calls on Americans
to walk, bike and be active outside in a demonstration of the
transformative health, economic and climate benefits of
trails
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Rails to Trails Conservancy's annual
nationwide celebration of trails, hosted on April 27, 2024, underscored the importance of
connected walking and biking infrastructure to the well-being of
people, places and the planet. Findings from the event, collected
as part of RTC's annual 'Celebrate Trails Day,' showcase the return
on investment that's possible as the nation's more than 41,000
miles of multiuse trails are connected into trail networks that
make it safer and easier for people to be active outside where they
live.
Trails give us space to move our bodies and
be active outside, which is good for people, places and the
planet.
Celebrate Trails Day, which the organization facilitates
annually on the fourth Saturday of April, invited thousands of
people across the country to get outside on trails in their
community for events and activities that encouraged physical
activity, stewardship, community engagement and opportunities to
swap out a routine car trip for a walk or a bike ride, helping to
lower their individual carbon footprint. Many of the more than 240
events that took place aligned with emerging trail and active
transportation networks across the country, creating an opportunity
for communities to learn more about these infrastructure
developments and to experience the benefits of creating connected
trail and active transportation systems. These events also
showcased the impact of connected trail systems, which have the
potential to deliver more than $138
billion to the economy each year in health cost savings,
climate savings and direct spending.
"Celebrate Trails Day creates a unique opportunity to show off
the many ways trails are essential to communities across the
country," said Ryan Chao, RTC's
president. "Thousands of people got outside with us to send the
message that when we connect trails, good things happen. We have
space to move our bodies and be active outside, which is good for
our physical and mental health. We support our local economy and
create new connections in the neighborhoods where we live. And we
can get around safely without a car."
This year, a survey conducted by RTC of people's participation
in Celebrate Trails Day found that each logged an average of 102
mins of physical activity on the trail—achieving more than
two-thirds of the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. In total, RTC estimates that over 20,000
people took part in Celebrate Trails Day, generating more than 2.1
million minutes of physical activity nationwide.
In response to Celebrate Trails Day, people universally reported
mental health benefits of time spent being active on the trail (97%
of people agree that using trails makes a difference for their
mental health and well-being) and the majority say that having
events or programming on the trail motivates them to be physically
active (85%). More than three-quarters (78%) indicate that they'll
use trails as part of their everyday routine (e.g., going to the
store, school, work or for exercise) and 76% of respondents
indicated they chose to swap a car trip for a walk, bike ride or
other active transportation on Celebrate Trails Day and at other
times in their day-to-day routines.
"Everyone gains from staying active and should have safe and
convenient access to trails. It's also great when these places
include green space, welcome all ages and abilities, and include
activities like culturally inclusive programs," said Ken Rose, MPA, physical activity and health
branch chief at the CDC. "Good walking and biking trails can help
us stay physically and mentally fit by making physical activity a
part of our routine. They also bring communities closer together by
giving us spaces to meet up and socialize."
The CDC reports that only about 1 in 4 adults fully meets the
physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening
activities, and increasing physical activity is one of
the best things we can do for our health. Connected trail and
active transportation infrastructure makes it possible for more
people to incorporate physical activity into routine, everyday
activities, like getting to work or school or running errands.
Outcomes from Celebrate Trails Day underscore the impact of park,
trail and greenway infrastructure interventions—combined with
additional interventions, such as events and programming in these
spaces—to increase awareness, enhance access and encourage
participation as outlined in recommendations by the Community
Preventive Services Task Force to increase physical activity.
Celebrate Trails Day comes this year at a time of unprecedented
opportunity for trails, walking and biking, in part made possible
by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and illustrates the
widespread demand and benefit of dedicated and sustained investment
in the nation's trail networks. RTC's recent analysis at the end of
2023 found 150 known multiuse trail networks nationwide, with trail
networks underway in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. At least half of Americans
(49.75%) live in a county that is home to a developing trail
network.
Survey results for Celebrate Trails Day represent 1,748
responses gathered via SurveyMonkey between
April 27 and May 5, 2024. Active minutes were calculated
using the estimated number of participants in Celebrate Trails Day,
and the average time reported spent on trails on Celebrate Trails
Day.
Celebrate Trails Day is made possible because of the support of
RTC's partners and sponsors.
Celebrate Trails Day is the annual celebration of the spring
trail season, recognized on the fourth Saturday in April. The
national celebration is organized by Rails to Trails Conservancy
(RTC), the nation's largest trails organization—with a grassroots
community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building
a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create
safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Follow
#CelebrateTrails on social media for updates and connect with RTC
at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, X (formerly
Twitter) and Instagram.
Active People, Healthy Nation℠ is a
national initiative led by the CDC to help 27 million Americans
become more physically active by 2027. Learn more from the
initiative about strategies to increase physical activity,
including providing access to safe places such as trails.
CONTACT:
Patricia Brooks
patricia@matchmapmedia.com
202.351.1757
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SOURCE Rails to Trails Conservancy