More people are walking or bicycling to get to work, and this is in turn making people safer. These are two of the conclusions presented in the 2014 Benchmarking Report published by the Alliance for Biking & Walking. The report, published every two years since 2003, is one of the Alliance’s key initiatives.
The report is compiled from data from all 50 states, the 52 largest cities and, for the first time in this report, 17 midsize cities. It looks at the rate of walking and biking, accident and injury rates, the level of spending on biking and walking projects and issues, and the level of advocacy support in various regions and communities.
A key figure is the percentage of commuters who bike or walk to work, and although the number is still tiny, the report shows a steady increase: In the 2005-2006 report, the Alliance showed that nationally 0.4 percent of the population biked to work. In the latest report, the number is 0.6 percent. In large cities, the percentage biking to work has grown from 0.7 percent to 1 percent over the same period.
Alliance for Biking & Walking 2014 Alliance Benchmarking Report Official Website
Walking can be good exercise, but the Pro-X Walker – which gets your arms in the swing of thing with added resistance – helps increase the workout. This waist-based gizmo was developed in Germany as an alternative to Nordic walking, but it shares the fuller workout by getting the arms, shoulders and back involved. It isn’t just about walking either, as 12 exercises have been developed to help you tone up and slim down. 
While Teddy Roosevelt may have said walk softly but carry a big stick he probably didn’t mean to get in shape. However, the American Nordic Walking Association has noted that walking with poles burns more than 40 percent more calories per hour and works more muscles than normal walking. It also provides that big stick – just in case.
Runtastic added two features to its activity tracking app. Ideal Weight 2.0 and Altimeter are now part of the Runtastic Pro apps, which cost about $3.99 in the Android and iPhone app stores. 
Since 2009 the Alliance for Biking & Walking has solicited public nominations to help shine the spotlight on those making a difference for the bicycle and pedestrian advocacy movement. This week The Alliance announced its 2012 Advocacy Award Winners who are leading the way in the “people powered movement.” 
A long walk will get you where you need to go, and at the same time allow you to burn a few calories. But the rest of the process is just wasted energy that could be harnessed for something else. At least that’s the idea of the electrowetting process, where a liquid that is normally hydrophobic will be forced to move by applying an electric current.
Winter might be upon us, but it is still hunting in many parts of the United States. You may live near or enjoy hiking on trails that are close to legal hunting grounds with your four-legged ‘best friend’, and EzyDog wants to help your canine stay safe in the woods. Especially if your dog likes to run off-leash.
It shouldn’t have to come to this, rewarding people for biking and walking – since better fitness should be the reward itself, but Recyclebank, a company that already rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from local and national businesses, announced last week a partnership with Transport for London to develop a program to reward people for cycling and walking in London.