Cycling and walking: Explaining the spatial distribution of healthy modes of transportation in the United States

This study analyzes the spatial distribution of healthy modes of transportation (cycling and walking commuting) at the county scale. Geographic information systems, negative binomial, and zero-inflated negative binomial regression techniques are used to test four types of geographic covariates: built, natural, socioeconomic, and civic environments. Descriptive, GIS, and regression results indicate that the expected count of cycling and walking commuters in a county increases significantly with unit changes in population density, natural amenities, education and wealth, and estimates of local civic concern. Expected counts decrease significantly by unit changes in pollution and the average distance traveled to work by a typical commuter.