Transportation Assets
Resources in a community that allow people to get around without a car are important for individual, community, and environmental health. The average household spends about 16 cents of every dollar on transportation and most of this goes towards buying, maintaining, and operating cars (1). Cars cost the average household an average of $7,179 per year (2). Alternative modes of transportation can save people money.
In the Northside Asset Map project we chose to focus on public transportation and bicycling resources. Access to public transportation allows people to get to work, school, and around their community without a car. Using public transportation saves people money. Each year, households near public transportation lines drive about 4,400 miles fewer than households with no access to public transportation, saving 223 gallons of gas (1). Bicycling is an affordable mode of transportation that has a large number of health benefits including weight loss, reduced blood pressure, and better insulin levels (3). The health benefits of cycling greatly outweigh the safety risks (4). As cycling increases in popularity, car drivers get used to seeing cyclists and become more cautious driving near them. Therefore, the more people bike in a city, the safer cycling becomes for everyone (5).
Resources in a community that allow people to get around without a car are important for individual, community, and environmental health. The average household spends about 16 cents of every dollar on transportation and most of this goes towards buying, maintaining, and operating cars (1). Cars cost the average household an average of $7,179 per year (2). Alternative modes of transportation can save people money.
In the Northside Asset Map project we chose to focus on public transportation and bicycling resources. Access to public transportation allows people to get to work, school, and around their community without a car. Using public transportation saves people money. Each year, households near public transportation lines drive about 4,400 miles fewer than households with no access to public transportation, saving 223 gallons of gas (1). Bicycling is an affordable mode of transportation that has a large number of health benefits including weight loss, reduced blood pressure, and better insulin levels (3). The health benefits of cycling greatly outweigh the safety risks (4). As cycling increases in popularity, car drivers get used to seeing cyclists and become more cautious driving near them. Therefore, the more people bike in a city, the safer cycling becomes for everyone (5).
Transportation Map
The transportation map above shows the public transit bus routes in North Minneapolis and bicycle paths. The first map shows the percent of residents in North Minneapolis who don't own a car along with bicycle and public transit routes, so you can see what resources are available for those without cars. The second map shows the percent of people who bike to work and bicycle paths in the Northside, and the third map shows the percent of people who take public transit to work along with public transit routes. These maps allow you to see how the availability of transportation infrastructure can increase the number of residents who are able to get around without a car.
The transportation map above shows the public transit bus routes in North Minneapolis and bicycle paths. The first map shows the percent of residents in North Minneapolis who don't own a car along with bicycle and public transit routes, so you can see what resources are available for those without cars. The second map shows the percent of people who bike to work and bicycle paths in the Northside, and the third map shows the percent of people who take public transit to work along with public transit routes. These maps allow you to see how the availability of transportation infrastructure can increase the number of residents who are able to get around without a car.
Resources
1. American Public Transportation Association. Public Transportation Benefits.
2. U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Statistics Annual Report, 2010.
3. Bikes Belong. Statistics and Research.
4. JJ de Hartog. Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks?
5. PL Jacobsen. Safety in numbers: more walkers and cyclists, safer walking and bicycling.
1. American Public Transportation Association. Public Transportation Benefits.
2. U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation Statistics Annual Report, 2010.
3. Bikes Belong. Statistics and Research.
4. JJ de Hartog. Do the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks?
5. PL Jacobsen. Safety in numbers: more walkers and cyclists, safer walking and bicycling.