On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) released new data from the Federal Highway Administration's 2009 National Household Travel Survey showing that both bicycling and walking trips increased 25 percent since 2001. The FHWA funded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center included this data in The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15-Year Status Report. The report details trends and changes in bicycling and walking since 1994.

LaHood recently announced a policy change to promote bicycle and pedestrian opportunities that encourage transportation agencies to go beyond minimum standards and provide safe and convenient facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

In the 1994 National Bicycling and Walking Study, the US DOT established two goals: to reduce the number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed or injured in traffic crashes by 10 percent and to double the percentage of total trips made by bicycling and walking in the U.S.

The National Bicycling and Walking Study: A 15-Year Status Report is a status update to the 1994 National Bicycling and Walking Study. This new report looks at progress toward goals outlined in the original study and outlines federal, state and local programs that promote bicycle and walking throughout the country.

The full report can be accessed, here.